The Laws of Music (Love is a Destination Book 1)

by Carly Morgan

  The sidewalk was crowded, the air stifling. It was early September in New York City, but the temperature was still sweltering every day. Her suit jacket stuck to her back just to prove how hot it was.

  Super, she thought.

  Chapter 2

  When she reached the bus stop, Katie sank into the steel bench, doing her best to ignore the teenaged couple making out like they were the only two people left in the world. Pulling her phone from her bag, she checked her email. There were a couple of spam messages, but nothing good.

  It was almost seven. Her interview with the law firm of Myer and Hansen had been her third one of the day. She was hungry and exhausted. Going to her recent calls, she thought about dialing Bentley, her fiancé. He was out of town, and had told her he would be unavailable, but she really needed to be cheered up. She dialed his number. As she expected, it went to voicemail. She hung up and tucked her phone away.

  Yellow taxi after yellow taxi whizzed past, mocking her. She had no money, and no prospects to get money anytime soon.

  Sure, she still had savings, but she couldn’t bring herself to use it on a taxi. So she sat there feeling sweaty, depressed, and in serious need of a life-changing event.

  When she’d graduated college, law school had been her next step. As a list-making organizer with a firm belief in justice and truth conquering all in the end, she’d wanted to be a lawyer. She just needed to convince a law firm of that. So far it felt like all anyone cared about was billable hours. Not truth, justice, or the American way.

  Of course, they also wanted wins, and Katie had done a lot of that under the tutelage of her instructors. But Katie was also honest and had integrity. She refused to take shortcuts or evade the truth to win. Several of the interviewers had skirted around the fact that there were a lot of gray areas. They hadn’t come out and said that, but it was implied that innocence was a matter of perception. Not for the first time, she wondered whether she’d made a bad decision.

  Her parents had said so. They probably would’ve been happier if she’d chosen underwater basket weaving. She often called them hippies, with their laid-back attitudes. She loved them, but she didn’t understand them all the time.

  Katie sighed heavily. If she didn’t get a job soon, she didn’t know what she’d do. She shared a brownstone with her best friend Birdy and she’d promised to start paying her portion of the rent soon. Not that Birdy cared. Her parents were beyond wealthy. But Katie wanted to do her part. She didn’t like handouts.

  The bus pulled over, sending a cloud of smelly exhaust into the air.

  Katie held her breath and climbed the steps, swiping her pass before heading toward the back of the bus and an empty seat. The driver signaled into traffic. As it droned forward, Katie stared out the window, admiring the skyscrapers as they rushed by. Dozens of the buildings were filled with law students with the same qualifications she had and with no qualms about dishonesty. She couldn’t think like that though. It didn’t matter what choices others made, only what she did.

  At the next bus stop, she watched a group of laughing teenaged boys climb on. They were the epitome of potheads—long stringy hair and baggy clothes, not to mention the cloying stench of reefer lingering near them. As the bus pulled away from the curb, they discussed a party later that night and who was coming. When one of the guys mentioned a girl, they rated her on a scale from one to ten and gave specific comments about why the girl had been given her rating. It was disgusting and Katie tried to tune them out.

  She returned to her thoughts and her plans, which included marrying Bentley Nelson. It would happen in April of the following year. Because his family was so wealthy and they had dozens of friends they needed to invite—at least that’s what his mother said—Mrs. Nelson had completely taken over the wedding planning. It was weird. Bentley’s family, especially his mom and dad, overwhelmed her. Katie asked Mrs. Nelson if she could help, but was always rejected in her efforts. In truth, Katie didn’t even know if she would be wearing a white dress. According to Bentley’s mother, white was passé. Cream was a better color.

  Thanks to Mrs. Nelson’s efforts, Katie wasn’t even looking forward to her wedding. She felt like a pawn, just a piece on the chessboard, only needed when it was time to show up on her wedding day, say I do, and have her picture taken.

  It bothered her immensely. She’d shared her feelings with Bentley, but he’d just laughed it off and said, “Welcome to my life.” He’d also explained that after the wedding it would be different. “You aren’t marrying them, you’re marrying me,” he said. That didn’t feel true.

  She studied her ring finger and the solitaire on it. He and his parents didn’t like the idea of Katie working, either. She’d scoffed at his ideas for her. Katie wanted to work. If they had their way, she wouldn’t have a job at all. “We’ll have plenty of money,” he’d said more than once. “And I need you to be my support. There will be a lot you need to do within our circle of society.”

  A jolt of frustration overwhelmed her and tears sprang to her eyes. Embarrassed, she wiped at them, but they kept coming. The emotion surprised her and when she thought on it she realized the reason.

  There she sat in one of the biggest cities on the continent, amongst millions of people, and she felt completely alone. A niggling doubt kept her questioning her decision to marry him. They were from such different worlds. She thought she loved him, but found herself wondering if he really loved her. Their relationship had started out all right, but more and more lately she found their time together stilted and awkward.

  With a sigh, she took her favorite pen and her ever-present journal from her bag. It always helped her deal with her feelings better when she wrote them down.

  At the next stop, Katie paused in her writing long enough to watch an elderly woman climb the bus steps. The woman walked hunched over, but appeared to have a sweet disposition. As she went down the aisle, searching for a place to sit, Katie knew the woman would choose the open spot next to her. It was the only one available. She moved her bag, leaving it empty for the woman.

  “Hello,” the woman said as she settled in.

  Katie wiped her cheeks. “Hi.” She made room at her feet for the woman’s bright orange bag.

  “Thank you. My name is Betsy.” She forced the bag between her legs and the seat in front of her.

  “Katie,” she responded and tried to smile through the tears.

  Betsy studied Katie a moment before reaching into her bag. “I’ve got something,” she whispered, digging around, before pulling out an unopened package of tissues. “Here you are.”

  Katie took it. “Thank you.” She opened the package, took out a tissue and handed the package back.

  Betsy pushed her hand away. “Keep them. I have a dozen more in there.”

  Her kindness caused new tears to spill. “That’s really sweet,” Katie mumbled.

  “There. There.” Betsy faced Katie as she spoke. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the past eighty-five years of life, it’s that nothing is as bad as it seems.” She rummaged in her bag another moment before taking a fifty from a pocket, and pressing it into Katie’s free hand.

  “Oh, that’s very thoughtful, but I can’t.” Katie stared at the money a moment. It would be nice to have, but it was a handout and that wasn’t her style. Besides, Betsy didn’t look like she could afford to give her money away. She wore a faded shawl and a dress that had seen better days.

  “Now, don’t disrespect an old woman by giving back her present. It isn’t nice.” Betsy smiled kindly. “I insist you treat yourself to something special.”

  “I will.” Katie tucked the money between the pages of her journal. “Thanks.”

  “Never stop writing, either,” Betsy said, tapping on the journal’s leather cover. “It’s a gift, and I bet you’re great at it.”

  “I won’t.” Katie didn’t think she could stop even if she wanted to.

  The bus slowed and came to a stop. “This is where I get off.”
Betsy hoisted herself out of the seat. “Remember, you can do anything. Be anything. Have faith in yourself.” She clapped her hands and shook them in the air a moment while smiling.

  “Got it,” Katie said with a smile of her own, watching the strange and amazing woman with interest.

  “Good girl.” Betsy shuffled down the aisle.

  One of the teenagers made rude comments while the others laughed. “Hurry up, you old bat. We got places to be,” one of them said.

  “Hey! Knock it off.” Katie glared, but that just caused them to laugh even harder.

  “Psssh,” one of the guys said.

  As Betsy slowly went down the steps, Katie stood. “Thanks again!”

  Betsy got off the bus without responding. Katie watched her slowly making her way down the street.

  “Sit down,” the driver commanded, his voice booming as the bus lurched forward.

  Katie obeyed, and put away her journal. Betsy hadn’t known anything about Katie, or what she was going through, but the woman’s words still resonated. Betsy was right. Katie needed to keep trying, and she would treat herself as the woman suggested.

  Her phone rang. It was Bentley. “Hey, I was just thinking about you,” Katie said, resting her head against the window. “Thanks for calling me back.”

  “Katie?”

  “Yes. Who else would it be?” She thought he was joking with her.

  “Oh, hey. I’m still out of town, but wanted to check on you. Everything going okay?”

  “Not really,” Katie said, grateful for the opportunity to talk to him. She could hear music in the background and wondered where he was. “My interviews today didn’t go well at all.” She closed her eyes, willing herself not to cry again.

  “Don’t even worry about it. You working isn’t necessary. I’ll take care of you, babe.”

  Her previous frustration returned with a vengeance. “Bentley, you know I want—”

  Bentley interrupted her. “You should do something fun tonight.” He paused. “But not too much fun.” He chuckled.

  It upset her that he wouldn’t listen and wasn’t supportive. Nor did he have any empathy for her situation. She gritted her teeth to stop from saying something she’d regret. It was probably part of his upbringing. She couldn’t imagine how it would be to never want for anything. “I’ll try.”

  “Good. I’ll see you in a couple of days.” He hung up before she could say good-bye.

  Sighing again, she tucked her phone in her purse. The bus came to her stop and she gratefully got off and walked the short distance to her brownstone. The building’s elevator was out of order, a regular occurrence, so she took the stairs up to the third floor. Unlocked her door and jiggled the handle a few times since it had a tendency to stick.

  Chapter 3

  “Birdy, I’m home.” Katie went to the fridge, grabbed a water bottle, cracked it open and drank.

  “In my bedroom,” Birdy responded.

  Katie walked past their messy living room filled with mismatched throw pillows and empty take-out boxes, and headed toward her bedroom. She went past Birdy’s room, where she peered in, noticing Birdy standing in front of her large closet in a towel and black heels.

  She laughed. “Nice outfit.”

  Birdy smiled archly over her shoulder. “I know, right?”

  Katie dropped her bag on the wood floor and kicked off her shoes.

  Where Birdy’s room was a complete mess, Katie liked to keep her room perfectly organized. That was the reason she noticed one of her bureau drawers slightly ajar. She knew for a fact she’d closed it that morning before leaving for her first interview.

  “Bird, did you take some of my socks?”

  “No, I haven’t been in your room today,” Birdy said in her high, silky voice.

  “Weird,” she whispered to herself, closing the drawer. She scanned the rest of her room to see if anything else was out of place. It all seemed okay, but she got the sense that things had been moved and then put back.

  She shrugged and went to Birdy’s room. Her best friend was in the process of pulling a small, white dress over her head. Katie averted her eyes, studying the clothes covering the floor instead of her best friend’s scantily clad body. Katie crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe. “Where are you going in that outfit, Bird?”

  Birdy’s real name was Pamela Bird. Katie had met her during their first semester in college. They became immediate friends. Over time their friendship grew into a relationship so solid she considered Birdy family. She would do anything for her and Katie knew the feeling was mutual.

  They’d proved as much to each other through the first four years of college, and then during law school.

  Birdy wasn’t just smart, either. She was the epitome of a super model: tall and thin, her blonde hair naturally curly. She wore it short, which made her big, hazel eyes stand out even more. Katie thought she was beautiful with or without makeup.

  Birdy laughed. “Dinner and The Attic.” She tugged the dress over her butt and turned to face Katie. “I can’t decide what to wear though. Nothing is speaking to me.” A quick glance in the mirror and the dress came off and landed on the floor. Then she took a red dress from its hanger and slid it over her body. “What do you think?”

  “Amazing.” Katie scooted a pile of clothes over and sat on Birdy’s bed, admiring how well her friend could wear anything. Katie just wished she had the same luxury. With short legs holding up a five-foot frame topped with a flurry of long, dark hair, her favorite feature was her light blue eyes. Otherwise, Katie felt pretty ordinary, especially next to Birdy. “The Attic, huh?”

  “Yep. We’re celebrating tonight.” She yanked off the red dress, letting it fall to the floor.

  Katie covered her head with a pillow. “Dang, Bird. Give a girl some warning, would you?”

  Birdy laughed. “You’re such a prude.”

  “Maybe.” The pillow muffled her voice, but she didn’t remove it. “Let me know when you’re decent.”

  “Fine, but only if you agree to come out with me tonight. We’re celebrating you.”

  Katie rolled over, burying her face in expensive designer clothes. “There’s nothing to celebrate. The interview was a bust and I’ve had a bad day. All I want is a bubble bath and an entire pint of strawberry ice cream.”

  “Sorry.” Birdy sat on the bed, rubbing Katie’s back. “But it doesn’t matter. We’re still celebrating.”

  Katie pushed up, shoving some wayward hair from her face. Before she could respond she took in Birdy’s newest dress. It was white with small black polka dots. “I don’t want to celebrate.” She covered her face with the pillow again, willing herself not to cry. “What’s wrong with me?”

  Birdy grabbed the pillow and met Katie’s watery eyes. “Nothing. You’re too good for all of them. That’s all.” She shook her head. “Life is a cruel, shady place, and most law firms are the soggy dark crevices along the edges.” Birdy would know. She always said her dad was a bull shark in an ocean full of reef sharks.

  Katie didn’t immediately respond. She didn’t want to believe that, but if she didn’t get a job soon, she’d wind up as the most well-educated burger-flipper in the world. “It’s just so sad. Doesn’t anyone want a lawyer who will fight for truth and justice anymore?”

  Birdy snickered. “No. They don’t want a super hero. They want billable hours, large corporations getting sued for doing something terrible to the little guy, and the corrupt willing to pay whatever it takes to make the problem go away.”

  “Seriously?” Katie knew it was true. She unbuttoned her taupe suit jacket and yanked it off, exposing her cream camisole underneath. “I mean, grrrr.” She stood and shimmied out of her pantyhose before plopping back down.

  Birdy scoffed. “I agree.” She brushed at Katie’s hair. “If you want, I could ask my dad to give you a job. You know he would.”

  It was true. He’d told her as much more than once. Birdy’s dad was the Jonathon Bird of Bird, Myers, a
nd Childress, the most prestigious law firm in New York City. Even though he didn’t really like Katie, he made it a point to do anything Birdy asked of him. That was his way of parenting. So if she asked him to give Katie a job, he would, even if it was in the mailroom. If all else failed, maybe she’d take her best friend up on the offer, but not yet. Katie wanted to get a job on her own merits, not because she was a friend of Jonathon Bird’s daughter. “No, but thanks, Bird.” She flopped backward on the bed.

  “Which is why I love you, but you know I won’t hold it against you. These days, it’s all about who you know, not what you know.” Birdy snapped her fingers and made a face. “And you know me, you know the law, and you’re going to be an amazing lawyer.”

  “Ugh, thanks, Bird.” Katie swallowed her tears, not her pride. No more crying, she told herself. It wouldn’t solve anything.

  “Shower. Put on a cute outfit and come out with me tonight.” Birdy slid on some red patent leather heels.

  “I don’t want to.” Katie closed her eyes, sulking.

  “Yes, you do.” Birdy went to her closet and grabbed a hot pink shirt in the latest fashion with the tags still on it. “I can’t celebrate without you.” She tossed the shirt at Katie. “Wear this with a pair of skinny jeans and black heels. You’ll look perfect.”

  Katie removed the shirt from her head. “I don’t think Bentley would like it if I went to a club without him. Besides, you know I don’t like the whole bar scene. It isn’t me.” Birdy knew it wasn’t. They’d fought about it more than once over the course of their friendship, but Birdy had come to terms with Katie’s prudish ways, and Katie had come to terms with Birdy’s party lifestyle.

  “You think I give a dirty rat’s tail what your fiancé thinks? Besides, isn’t he out of town for the weekend?” She went over to her dresser and began putting on jewelry, lots of it, but somehow it looked right on her.