Stardust Chords || Greta Van Fleet

Chapter 16: Trust Me

The next day was nothing short of grim and turbulent, with rain pelting down in sheets that seemed to swallow the city whole. The venue was a hive of frantic activity as the crew scrambled to empty the tour buses and protect the precious cargo within.

"Don't touch that!" I called out, seeing Noah head for Jake's guitar, knowing how territorial he got over it. I'm sure any minute now he'd be out here to bring it inside himself, and the last thing I wanted was him getting upset over it again.

"Are you kidding me with this shit, Jewel?" I heard him mumble from the back of the van.
"No, I'm not kidding you. He said he didn't want anyone touching it so-"
"This is our job. He can't just stall everything because he needs to carry his guitar in."
"Well, he said he doesn't trust-"
"Well he needs to. This is what we're here for."
"Take everything else in. There's plenty for you to do. Leave his guitar alone." I snapped, now feeling myself start to get upset.

He gave us one rule. The least we could do was respect that. Though it was getting closer to show time, and it didn't seem like the rain was going to let up anytime soon. If I was going to get this thing inside in one piece, I was going to have to do it sooner than later. And something told me Jake might feel better about me taking it rather than Noah.

At this point he'd probably prefer anyone over Noah.

"Can you call him or something?" Noah called out. "I figured since you guys are such good friends now." My cheeks burned. I guess it would be helpful if I did have his number.
"I'm sure he'll be out any minute. He'll want to get it himself."

And like clockwork I heard the backdoor to the venue slam open, Jake quickly making his way out and over towards the bus, sheltering himself as much as he could before quickly hopping into the back.

"Since when were we supposed to get a monsoon?" He joked, shaking the rain out of his hair, flashing me a wide grin. I couldn't help but smile, loving the fact that he could take just about any situation and make it so lighthearted. Life was hard enough, and it was nice being around someone who could always be so positive.

It was a change of pace for me.

"We're just making sure we get everything out the way you guys like it!" Noah called out to him in his best cheerful voice, sounding as fake as ever. Jake flashed him a smile and a reassuring nod before turning back to me, shooting me a look, showing me he saw right through him. I tried myself to conceal my quiet laughter, turning back to the equipment.

"Thanks for everything." Jake said, leaning in closer. "I'm not really used to getting to be so.. hands off. I typically micromanage so.. sorry for being overbearing sometimes." I shook my head.
"It's okay." I muttered, turning back to face him. He held his stare on me for a moment, his eyes now in a daze. A small smile escaped my lips, just like it always did when he stared at me for a little too long. And for a moment it felt like we were the only two in the world, everything else falling away around us, all thoughts tuned out by the consistently growing torrent of the rain just outside.

"So, um.. well, we need to finish unloading so.." I said, motioning back to the rest of his equipment. He snapped out of his daze, his face dropping as he turned toward the existing pile, his eyes landing on his guitar first.
"I can grab everything else if you don't want anyone to-"
"You can take her." He finally said, grabbing his guitar case and handing it back to me. I stopped, staring back up at him wide-eyed. He nodded, motioning back down to it again.

"Don't make it weird." He laughed. "You can take it. Before I change my mind." I then saw Noah out of the corner of my eye, bringing his attention over to us.
"Are you sure? Cause I-"
"I'm sure. I trust you." He said simply. I hesitated for a moment before carefully reaching over for the handle, grabbing it tightly. I had never second-guessed myself like this before. But I guess the stakes had also never been this high before.

All I wanted was for him to trust me.

"If you want I can take it in-"
"No, she's got it." Jake said, quick to cut him off, holding his stare on me. I nodded, smirking back up at him before quickly making my way inside and toward the stage.

As far as I knew, this was the first time he had ever entrusted anyone else with his sacred instrument, and the magnitude of the gesture now weighed heavily on me. I understood that this wasn't just about keeping a guitar safe; it was a sentiment of his confidence in me, it was about proving that I was someone he could actually rely on, no matter what.

I lied the case down on the stage, carefully opening it to see its striking cherry red finish, its vibrant hue both timeless and unmistakable. Its body, though still resonant with a rich, deep tone, bore the marks of years of passionate play. The finish, while glossy, was subtly worn in places where Jake's fingers had frequently gripped the neck, revealing a silhouette of countless performances and so many memories. Each scratch and dent told a story, adding a unique character to its sleek, contoured frame. The pick-guard, with its once-immaculate surface now dulled and scarred, hinted at the relentless energy and raw emotion it had been subjected to over the years. The worn frets and slightly faded inlays spoke of countless hours of practice and performance, giving the guitar an irreplaceable personality; a living testament to the bond between musician and instrument.

I could understand how someone could be so protective over something like this. It was his livelihood; his baby.

I carefully picked it up, leaning in close as I gently strummed its strings. Perfectly in tune, as I suspected. But I always liked to make sure.
"I can show you now, if you want." I heard from behind me. Turning around, I saw Jake making his way across the stage, flashing me a relieved grin. I carefully placed the guitar down on the stand, turning to face him again.

"Oh, do I get my lesson now?" I joked. "Don't you want to save it for the show?" He smirked back at me, shrugging.
"I could, but you looked interested." I was interested in learning whatever he wanted to teach me. But I guess we could start with guitar.
"I'm actually surprised you hadn't picked up on anything." He added. "You know, having been around it for so long." I shrugged.
"I'm a little too busy making sure everything is perfect for you guys." I laughed. He nodded, keeping his stare on me.

"Well, in case I haven't mentioned it. I really appreciate it." He said softly, making his way over and sitting down next to me on the stage. He peeked over at his guitar, I'm sure subtly checking to make sure she was still safe and sound without making it too obvious.
"And thank you, for being careful with her." He said, keeping his eyes on it. I nodded.
"Of course." I assured him. "You can trust me." He bit down on his lip, turning back to me. My heart started beating faster the longer he stared at me.

I've never been one to trust easily; Noah and I had our own problems, and I'm still not sure if I'll ever truly get over the doubts that lingered. The walls I've built around myself over the years have always been high, a defense mechanism born of too many disappointments. But with Jake, something was different. Despite my natural skepticism, I found myself gradually lowering those defenses, allowing myself to trust him in ways I hadn't thought possible.

It frightened me, this sudden vulnerability, this leap of faith I let myself take. Yet, it also filled me with a cautious hope, a glimmer of belief that maybe, just maybe, there was at least one good guy out there who was worth all the risk. It felt like a delicate dance between fear and hope, but in Jake's steady presence, I could almost believe in something better, something real.

"You can trust me too, Jewel."