by Carly Morgan
“Yeah, it was a family thing,” Katie mumbled, enjoying the scent of the clothes. They smelled like lavender.
Birdy snorted. “Whatever.” She didn’t’ like Bentley. Never had. Katie had wondered many times why, but she’d never gotten to the bottom of it.
Bentley had been vague too, which seemed to be happening more and more lately. She wasn’t sure why and every time she tried to talk to him about it, he told her she was just being sensitive, and that everything was fine. Still, something did feel off between them.
“You know how I feel about Bentley. He isn’t quite right.”
Katie frowned at her friend. “He’s sweet.” Wasn’t he?
Birdy pulled Katie off her bed and corralled her toward the door. “Yeah, sure.” A strange look crossed her face, one Katie took to be Birdy’s usual discontent with Bentley. If anything, Bentley and Birdy hated each other more now than they had when Katie first started dating him.
“He’s under a lot of pressure.”
“If you say so, Kiki.” Birdy hugged her. “Hurry up and get ready. We’ll eat first. The limo will be here in a couple of hours.”
Chapter 4
The Attic got its start as a dive bar back in the eighties. Located on the top floor of an old warehouse, it had a very urban and cold feel to it. In the beginning, the bar did okay, but didn’t become popular until 2005, after a couple of actors partied there, followed by the discovery of a famous band. Overnight, The Attic became the club, the place to see and be seen.
The space was large, boasting the best drinks in New York. It also had a full kitchen where a renowned chef prepared amazing food until the wee hours of the morning.
Each Friday night, the club promoted ladies’ night. Girls got in for half price—unless you were Birdy, or friends with Birdy, then you always got in free.
Everyone in New York knew Birdy. And if they didn’t know her, they wanted to.
Sometimes going out with her was surreal. Paparazzi would follow her and take her picture. Those photos wound up in entertainment magazines or the social section of The New York Times at least once a month, usually more often. She had nearly a hundred million Instagram followers. Businesses asked her to promote their products all the time. Couture fashion designers sent her clothes for free, hoping she would wear one of them and get photographed. Tourists recognized her face and would take her picture, like she was a superstar. They all thought she was. Birdy laughed it off, joking that only in America could a person be famous for nothing. She had money and a name, and that was it. And with social media that was all she needed.
One would think with all of her connections and social status she’d be conceited, but she wasn’t. She was one of the most generous people Katie knew.
Katie had often wondered how Birdy had become such a sweetheart. Her dad was arrogant, rude, and had dealings with all sorts of sketchy people. Birdy’s mom wasn’t any better. Growing up, she’d given Birdy all of the wrong kinds of attention, taking her for her first Botox “treatment” at the age of thirteen. Her mom believed she was too good to speak with anyone whose bank account held less than seven figures. She and her friends played tennis on weekdays, slept with the instructors whenever they felt like it, and went to lunch to gossip about it. On the weekends they partied at the Cape or L.A. or wherever was the “it” place of the moment. Hers was a life Katie didn’t understand. Thankfully, neither did Birdy.
Katie’s parents weren’t at all wealthy and that was how they liked it. When she was nearly thirteen, her parents ended their separation and got back together. Even though they’d never been officially divorced, they had another wedding, just to prove their commitment to each other.
A few months later, they moved Katie and her brother Lance to Africa where they lived in a small village. Her parents taught the locals English, helped them build a school, a church, and a well for fresh water. Katie had helped the village kids learn to write and shared her love of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys with them. It had been an amazing experience. Katie had loved living simply and serving others.
After five years, they all returned to the states. There had been several reasons, but the biggest was for Katie and Lance. Their mom home-schooled them while in Africa, and Katie graduated early. When she received a college scholarship, they decided it was time to leave their beloved Africa and come home.
Lance was sixteen at the time, and they felt it would be good for him. Their parents said it was their turn to sacrifice so that Katie and Lance could have a more normal life, not that either of them even knew what normal looked like. Katie had a feeling there might have been more to their returning, but she still didn’t know what those reasons were, and she might never know.
Her family had been back eight years. Katie thought that whatever her parents’ reasons for returning, they would go back soon, especially because of what happened to her brother. It was obvious they longed to return to the people and the simple life serving held for them.
Katie respected their decision, whatever they chose. She wanted them to be happy. They’d earned it after all they put up with from Lance. But she didn’t want to do the same. She would marry Bentley, become a lawyer, and when the time was right, she would have children of her own.
Again, an overwhelming loneliness filled her heart.
“Hey, Birdy, can we get a picture with you?” A random guy asked as they claimed their reserved table.
“Sure.” Birdy posed cordially.
The club was busy, but a waitress came over immediately and took their drink order. Katie asked for sparkling water with lemon.
“Who’s playing tonight?” Katie asked, fighting the sick feeling inside. Clubs really weren’t for her.
“Guy told me the name.” Birdy thought a moment. “I think they’re called Go No Further or something like that.”
“Never heard of them,” Katie said, not that the news was surprising. She mostly listened to Christian music. In that genre there was a group called Look No Further. She knew most of their songs. But she highly doubted they would play at a place like The Attic.
“Me either,” Birdy said with a shrug. “Hopefully they aren’t awful. Otherwise these people will tear them to shre—”
The announcer cut her off. “Please put your hands together for Look No Further!”
Katie perked at the name, surprised. That was the name of the Christian band she knew. She thought about telling Birdy, but decided against it. Maybe there was a top forty group with the same name.
Four men walked onto the stage. One sat at the drums, two picked up guitars and the last went to the keyboard. She could see their faces on the jumbotron hanging over the stage. Cameras gave close-ups of each guy while he smiled and waved. But Katie hadn’t studied them, only listened to their music. There was no way for her to tell if they were the same band. She thought they looked familiar though.
All the guys wore the same basic outfit of jeans and white tee shirts.
Girls rushed to the stage, talking and hollering suggestively. Katie gave a mental shrug. This probably wasn’t the Christian band. She couldn’t imagine the club owner would book that type for a Friday night at The Attic anyway.
The drummer clicked his sticks together four times to set the beat, then began pounding in rhythm. The keyboard came in after eight counts, followed by the guitars. Katie grinned as she recognized the music they played. It was definitely the Christian band! She tapped her foot as she watched the crowd, curious about their reactions.
After another eight count, the lead singer walked on stage.
“Oh. My,” Birdy began, looking at Katie.
“Glorious. Goodness,” Katie finished. Her breath caught as a camera zoomed in on him, giving the crowd a close-up. Her jaw dropped. It was the man she’d met in the elevator earlier that day. She couldn’t believe it, but now she knew why his name sounded familiar. Her face heated as she the thought of their exchange. How could she not have recognized him?
He wore hol
ey and faded jeans and a white shirt left unbuttoned to reveal his well sculpted chest and a large tattoo. She focused on it but couldn’t tell what it was. His hair wasn’t slicked back like it had been earlier. Instead it hung long and in his face. He was even more handsome now. Her heart raced, but she took a deep breath. She was engaged. More than that, she’d made a promise to herself never to date a musician. They tended to be arrogant and narcissistic and she’d had more than enough of both traits for a lifetime.
“I know him,” Birdy said, scooting to the edge of her chair so she and Katie could communicate over the music.
Katie grinned. “I met him earlier today.”
Birdy’s eyes widened. “Serious? When?”
“After my interview. We spoke in the elevator.” Her heart fluttered, but she ignored it. Bentley was her man. Forevermore, she told herself.
Bird gave her a funny look. “I went to high school with him. We were friends. It’s been a while, but he still looks the same.” She paused. “Only different.” She smiled. “Spicier, I think.”
Katie smiled. “Spicy, huh?”
Bird watched Max Legend as he sang. Katie couldn’t help but be mesmerized too. His whole body got into the music. It was as though he bore his soul with each word.
“Yep, ‘spicy’ is the word I’d use,” Birdy said after a moment. “I can’t believe it. There for a while I thought he might end up dead, the way he was living.”
That shocked Katie. “Really?”
“Yeah, he was heavy into drugs and drinking back then. I thought the only way he’d stop was if he was forced to. Huh.” She shook her head.
Katie processed the information. She hadn’t gotten that vibe from him in the elevator, but she wasn’t surprised. It’d been like that for her brother, Lance, too.
“But he looks clean,” Birdy continued. And Katie knew Bird would know. “He looks good, don’t you think?”
“Sure. Yeah, he looks great.” The song he sang was titled “Back to You”, one of her favorites. The lyrics were beautiful and catchy without being preachy.
Lost along the way.
Hidden from the truth.
I chose love in a bottle.
Instead of You.
Baked in the sun.
Tossed in the sea.
I chose a life of leisure
Instead of You.
But, you waited for me to knock.
You loved me despite the rock,
I paced in front of the door.
Like the poor, I hungered
Thirsted, but didn’t know
What I searched for.
It was always You.
Katie felt her eyes fill with tears. Hearing Max Legend sing in person was so powerful. His voice was rich and deep and filled with so much emotion. The band joined him for the chorus. It was beautiful, though she didn’t notice anyone but him. He methodically drew the audience into his orbit and held them captivated. When the song ended, he held the last note, closing his eyes and lifting his face upward.
The crowd erupted in clapping and cheering.
Max scanned the crowd. Her pulse leapt when it felt like his eyes landed on her, but she figured that wasn’t possible for him to see with the stage lights in his eyes. The audience was probably one big, dark blur from where he was standing.
“He’s good.” Birdy said with a strange look on her face. “I think I recognize the drummer, too. Wolfgang something or other. Max and I went to school with him, too. It feels like forever ago.” She had a faraway look in her eyes, and Katie guessed she was momentarily lost in memories.
The band started the next song, a ballad.
Katie reached over and touched Birdy’s arm. “You okay?” She knew Bird well enough recognize her friend’s mood change.
“I think,” she paused. “I’m not sure. It’s just weird to see them like this. Exciting, I guess.” She sipped her drink.
“How’s everybody doing tonight?” Max’s voice reverberated throughout the room after he finished the next song. Music played softly behind him and he swayed as he spoke. “This next song is dedicated to those who sometimes feel alone, like no one is there for them. I promise you there’s hope.” He paused and the crowd cheered. “This one is called ‘Forever with Me’.
Everyone cheered and Katie and Birdy clapped along.
Katie noticed he wasn’t wearing shoes. How odd.
That was soon forgotten as he began to sing. His voice was like liquid chocolate—smooth, rich, and warm.
Over the next thirty minutes, Katie found herself fully immersed in the music. Watching Max sing was amazing. He was amazing. She couldn’t take her eyes off him.
The band finished their set, but Max told them they’d be back. As he and the band left the stage, the jumbotron went dark and club music thumped from speakers hanging in the rafters above.
“You’re smitten.” Birdy laughed. “Too bad you’re engaged to Bentley.”
“I’m not smitten,” Katie replied, crossing her arms and leaning back in her seat. “It was just cool to see them sing live is all.”
“Whatever you say, Kiki.”
The feeling in the room changed along with the music. Katie wanted to go outside. It was stuffy with all the bodies crammed together and she needed air. The Attic had a great outdoor space anyway. Usually smokers went out there, but she decided to chance it. “I’m going outside. Want to come?”
“Go ahead. I’ll order us another round of drinks.” Birdy waved the waitress over as Katie stood. “Want something stronger this time?” Katie could tell her friend was only half joking.
“Sure.” She paused and wiggled her eyebrows. “I’ll have sparkling water with a lime wedge instead of lemon.” She winked before moving away from the table.
Birdy snorted. “You got it.”
It took Katie a while to get through the throngs of people. A few men asked her to dance, but she kindly declined and kept going. As she passed the dance floor, she came to a group of overstuffed chairs placed together to allow for conversation. She couldn’t help but notice a scantily clad woman sitting on a man’s lap. Katie was about to look away when the woman moved her long blonde hair to the side, revealing the face of the man whose lap she sat on.
Katie stopped dead as her mind went blank with shock. “Bentley.” She said his name in a whisper, certain the man she stared at couldn’t be her fiancé. He was supposed to be out of town on family business. Determined to find out for sure, she stepped closer until she was just a couple of feet in from the couple.
The woman leaned over and kissed him, once again blocking Katie’s view of his face. Not that she needed to see it or him. She recognized every stitch of clothing currently wrapped around the other woman, from the navy sport coat to the tan slacks and loafers she’d bought him last Christmas. There was no doubt the man was in fact Bentley, but her mind struggled to process it.
“Bentley,” Katie shouted, determined to figure out what was happening. She clenched her fists as her body started to shake.
At the sound of his name, Bentley’s gaze lifted, meeting Katie’s. The hazy smile hanging on his face disappeared when he saw her. “Katie.” He stood, pushing the woman from his lap. She fell to the floor in a very unladylike manner, her sliver dress ripping in the process.
“Bent,” she whined from the floor, pouting.
He ignored her. “What are you doing here, darling?” he said to Katie, running his fingers through his dark hair nervously and straightening his pants. “You never go out.”
Revulsion filled her already sick stomach. “I came out with Birdy. You told me to have fun.” Her thoughts still tumbled in disbelief though she’d seen it with her own eyes. How could he? There were dozens more questions she could’ve asked, but all the words got tangled up on themselves and she said nothing.
He regained his composure and crossed his arms. “But this place? It’s for single people trying to hook up, not for someone in a committed relationship.” His face filled with an
ger.
“Are you kidding me right now? If that’s true, then why are you here?” She put her hands on her hips.
“I just needed to blow off some steam. You’re so uptight, Katie. Sometimes a guy just needs to let loose, you know?”
Katie did know. She’d had one of the worst days of her life, yet she wasn’t the one who’d been caught cheating. Before she could respond to his asinine comment, the woman in silver stood, wrapping her hands around Bentley’s arm like she had octopus tentacles.
Katie’s heart exploded with pain and a light bulb went on inside her head. She had no desire to marry the man standing in front of her. In fact, she realized she had no idea who he was anymore. Anger combined with sadness and she took off her engagement ring and threw it at him. “Here. I don’t want this.” The diamond struck him on the cheek before falling to the floor. A bead of blood formed on Bentley’s shocked face.
“Katie, do you know how much that thing is worth? What is your problem?” He got on his hands and knees to search. It didn’t escape her notice that he cared more about the stupid ring than he did about being caught with another woman.
“No problem. I’m just over you.” Tears formed on her lashes. She couldn’t believe the day she was having. “Keep the ring. Or better yet, give it to the blonde. She seems loose enough for you.” Katie marched off, tumbling and falling into people as she pushed her way outside. Tears streamed down her face. Whatever mascara she’d been wearing was now undoubtedly streaking her cheeks. But she didn’t care. She couldn’t think of anything except what she’d just witnessed and how it seemed like her life was crashing down despite all of her careful planning and preparation.
Katie made her way to the balcony and grabbed hold of the wrought iron bar, leaning over. She felt like she was going to be sick. Her breath came in ragged bursts. Spots formed in front of her eyes, blocking the glorious view of the city.
“Hey, are you all right?”
Max Legend was leaning on the railing beside her. She hadn’t known he was there.
