Stardust Chords || Greta Van Fleet

Chapter 7: Feel Like Home

I always enjoyed a night out after a show; the energy was finally coming down and we were brought back to reality when we stepped into the bar, now surrounded by a new crowd of strangers who couldn't care less who we were.

Sometimes anonymity was nice.

Noah took my hand, guiding me through the clusters of people until we reached the bar where I could see the guys had already found a spot, all with drinks in hand. Josh was the first to notice us.

"What are you guys having?" He asked, turning to me.
"Two Jack and Cokes." Noah said without skipping a beat. There was once a time when I enjoyed when Noah ordered for me, taking control and showing me that he could take care of me, but little by little he started to just loop me in with him rather than ordering for me.

I couldn't remember the last time I had ordered a Jack and Coke for myself.

Josh turned back to me, giving me a questioning look. I nodded, forcing a smile. He hesitated for a moment, holding his stare on me before eventually turning back around.

I looked around while we waited, seeing the many types of people who gathered together at their local bar on a Tuesday night. I wondered if some of them had come from the show, if some were locals, blowing off steam after a long day at work, or if some were also trying to memorize every detail of this place, knowing they too were just passing through, the chances slim they'd ever walk through these doors again. A symphony of clinking glasses and distant laughter; it was poetic. A community of those fueling themselves with the liquid courage for what seemed unthinkable in the daylight.

"Here you go!" I heard, snapping out of my odic trance. Josh motioned down the bar to where I saw two empty seats next to Jake, who was already looking over, giving me a welcoming grin. As we made our way down, Noah didn't hesitate to grab the first stool right beside Jake, leaving me to the secluded end of the bar. Jake's face quickly dropped as he then turned away to face the rest of the group.

"That was a great show!" Noah said, trying his best to yell over the crowd. Jake turned back, giving him a nod.
"Yeah, you don't get many like that." Noah nodded, pulling his stool closer to Jake.
"I'd love to talk to you about some guitar stuff if you ever get the chance, I play too so maybe we can run some ideas off of each other one night."

Despite Noah's distain for those who were more successful than him, he wasn't stupid. It was all in who you knew in this business and I knew that he wasn't above sucking up to whoever he needed to in order to get ahead.

Unfortunately for him, everyone else seemed to pick up on it too.

Jake nodded, hesitating for a moment.
"Oh, um.. y-yeah. Maybe. I don't really like to play too much on off days, you know, don't want to risk anything so-"
"Yeah, sure, of course well.. one day before a show then, maybe when they're all setting up." I sensed a sudden shift in Jake's demeanor in that one, now shooting me a look over Noah's shoulder. I couldn't help but smile, already picking up on his cues. Did he really just say that? Isn't that his job? I took a sip of my drink now giggling to myself.

"Yeah, if you can get everything set up early enough, maybe we can talk." Jake finally said, reaching over and giving Noah a condescending pat on the back. I kept my eyes down as Noah let out an annoyed sigh, taking a big sip of his drink before getting up and heading towards the bathroom.

I could already feel Jake's eyes on me through the newfound space between us. As I looked over, his lips curled into a subtle grin.

"I can't tell you the last time I met a Jack and Coke girl." He said, leaning in closer.
"Oh, um.. yeah." I laughed, forcing down another sip. He hesitated for a moment before finishing the last of his drink and subtly sliding over into the empty seat next to me. I hoped the darkness of the bar was enough to mask my already blushing face.