Stardust Chords || Greta Van Fleet

Chapter 8: She's All Yours

The stale stench of beer clung to the air, mingling with the faint scent of pool chalk and cigarette smoke. The night had blurred into a haze of laughter and slurred words, the kind that leaves you feeling strangely connected yet still utterly alone.

Josh and I had found ourselves tucked away in a corner booth, our voices rising and falling with each story we shared, while Noah and the others remained huddled around the pool table, lost in their own little world of competition and camaraderie.

I was surprised Jake had lasted this long with him, not once missing a passing glance as he'd circle the table, killing time before making his next shot. Josh noticed.

"So.. how long have you and Noah been together?" He asked, less enthusiastic than he had been throughout the rest of the conversation. I shrugged.
"A while now." I sighed. His smile grew.
"You don't sound thrilled." He giggled, taking the last swig of his drink and finally pushing it away. I shrugged again.

"I guess I just thought.. I would at least be married by now." I admitted, shocked by my own honesty. I had never really talked about this with anyone else before, not outside of Audrey anyway.

My stomach dropped.
Audrey.
I was supposed to call her.

"So you want to get married?" He pried. I hesitated for a moment, eventually nodding.
"I guess I do."
"I don't think that's something you guess." He joked. I smirked back at him.
"I don't know, that's what we're supposed to do, right?" He shrugged, keeping his eyes forward.
"You can do whatever you want, Jewel. But.. whatever you decide to do, I just.. I've never believed it should be something you settle for. You should be excited about it, and.. well, I don't mean to overstep but-"
"But you've done it plenty tonight." I laughed. His cheeks burned, a sly grin escaping his lips.

"Well, we're friends now. And from what I've seen.." He said, his voice trailing off.
"What?" I asked, now feeling the familiar pit in my stomach starting to form. I had had this conversation a million times. It was no surprise to me that everyone managed to see what I just wasn't willing to accept. But I just found it hard to believe that two people could be together for so long and just not end up together, because.. then all of this would have been for nothing.

And I wasn't going to start over with just anyone.

"I just think you should be excited about the person you're going to marry." He eventually muttered. I nodded, looking back out at bar, now seeing Noah following Jake around like a little lost puppy. I couldn't help but laugh, but then slowly, my attention started to wander.

I watched as Jake leaned over the table, his stance relaxed yet focused as he lined up his shot. His movements were smooth, effortless, every stroke of the cue a testament to his skill. The dim lights cast shadows across his features, highlighting the curve of his jaw and the intensity in his eyes when he concentrated. A shy smile tugged at my lips as I realized just how effortlessly handsome he was. Just the thought of him sitting a little too close to me made my cheeks warm with a blush I couldn't control. In that fleeting moment, as I wished for time to stretch just a little longer, I knew there was something about Jake that drew me in more than I cared to admit.

"Are you going to go talk to Avery?" I finally asked, trying my best to change the subject. Josh's demeanor instantly changed, his body now tensing up, a giddy grin escaping his lips.
"Eventually." He muttered, his eyes quickly darting across the bar.
"What's the worst that could happen?"
"A lot of things, Jewel." He laughed. I shook my head.
"I don't think so. You're sweet and you're handsome, why wouldn't he-"
"So, you think someone who looks like me is handsome?" He asked, his eyes lighting up as he peeked over at me. My heart jumped, hesitating for a moment, registering what he was asking me.

"Yes." I finally admitted. "Someone who looks like you is.. very handsome." His smile grew.
"Oh, very handsome. Well, that's very kind of you, Jewel. It's too bad you're not my type. If only there was another one of me." I playfully rolled my eyes.
"What are you getting at?"
"Nothing, nothing.." He laughed, bringing his attention back towards the dartboard.

Eventually Noah returned to our table with Jake and the rest of the guys trailing behind him, his expression somewhere between annoyance and resignation.
"Jewel, it's getting late."

I glanced up at him, trying to gauge his seriousness through the haze of alcohol and camaraderie. Josh shifted uncomfortably beside me, muttering something under his breath about Noah being "a little controlling."

Before I could respond, Jake sauntered over, a victorious grin still lingering from his recent win at the pool table.
"Hey, Jewel," he greeted, his voice low and warm. "Looks like I missed all the action over here." I smiled up at him, grateful for the distraction.
"Yeah, I guess Noah's ready to head back for the night." I explained, gesturing away. Jake nodded, appearing to bite his tongue.
"Ah, right. Mustn't keep the king waiting." He mocked. I bit down on my lip, trying my best to contain my grin.

I nodded in agreement, appreciating Jake's easy acceptance of the situation. Despite the tug of reluctance to leave this moment behind, I felt like this wouldn't be the last time Josh and I had a little too much to drink and said a little too much about things that were probably way too personal for two people who had just met.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow then?" I asked, feeling my cheeks burn as Noah instinctively wrapped his arm around me, pulling me in closer and leading us towards the door.
"See you tomorrow, Jewel." I heard from behind me, my heart jumping at the familiar tone from the corner of the bar.

Jake's P.O.V

I watched as Noah practically dragged Jewel out of the bar, the sweet smell of her vanilla perfume still lingering in the air while a pang of frustration knotted in my chest.

"You alright?" I heard from behind me, Josh smirking back at me. I knew he could tell.
"Fine." I said simply. "We should head back." He nodded, leading the rest of the guys down the sidewalk towards the buses where I could already see the light on in Jewel's, now suddenly wondering what her bunk looked like.

It didn't take long for the rest of the guys to wander back into their beds, pulling their curtains shut behind them. Josh lingered behind with me in the front area, sliding into the booth across from me.

"So, what'd you guys talk about?" I asked, unable to play it cool for much longer. I had seen them from across the bar, way too close for comfort for my own liking but knowing Josh, there was nothing to worry about. His smile grew.
"I'm sure you'd love to know."
"Shut up." I muttered, unable to contain my flustered grin.

The night stretched on with the weight of shared confidences and the burn of a few more glasses of cheap whiskey. Between sips and sighs, I poured out the details of my growing affection for Jewel, her laughter echoing in my mind like a melody I couldn't forget. Josh listened intently, offering occasional nods of understanding, often masked with timid smiles that clearly held back far more than he was leading on. As the hours slipped away, our voices softened with fatigue but our connection deepened, a testament to the enduring camaraderie of two brothers navigating the complexities of love and loyalty in the midst of a tumultuous tour.

"She thinks you're handsome." He finally admitted, his smile growing. I tried my best to contain any sort tells that my heart hadn't just skipped a beat.
"She does?" I asked, as nonchalantly as I could manage, but I couldn't contain the smile that escaped my lips. He shrugged.
"Well, technically she called me handsome, but.. we're twins, so." I playfully shoved him, rolling my eyes.
"But.. I was asking about you, and I think she knew that." He added. I nodded, appreciating his efforts.

"Is it obvious?" I finally asked, tightly crossing my arms across my chest. He shook his head.
"To me, of course it is. But.. to her, I don't think so." I nodded, avoiding his eyes.
"Well.. what about you?" I asked. His eyes went wide.
"W-what about me?" I shrugged.
"She said you were handsome. How do.. you feel about her?" His face then relaxed into a subtle grin.

"She's all yours."