by M. A. Foster
“Why wait?” She scoffs in disbelief. “I’ll tell you why. You were both still in high school. You’re young and extremely immature. You can’t even handle tabloid rumors. What happens when she’s on tour and the tabloids plaster bullshit stories all over social media? Are you going to grab the closest sorority girl for a revenge screw?”
I’m so sick of having that thrown in my face. Yes, I acted like a dick, but I have more than made up for it. I grit my teeth to keep myself in check.
“Do you even know how much money she has or how much she’s worth?” she asks.
Money has never been a factor in our relationship. Maybe that’s where our immaturity stands out the most. Neither of us has ever had to ask for money; we just have it.
“I’m just naming a few reasons here why you should’ve waited,” she continues. “And when this doesn’t work out, there’s gonna be a hell of a mess for me to clean up.”
“You mean if?”
“What?”
“You said ‘when,’ not ‘if,’ which means you’re expecting us to fail.” Rolling to a sitting position, I drape my forearms over my thighs. “Emerson, I’m sorry for disrespecting you. I’m being completely honest here when I tell you that I hadn’t taken your feelings or anyone else’s into consideration. All I could think was that the love of my life almost died. That feeling is something I can’t get over. Yes, we’re young. Yes, I screwed up. But I love her more than I love anything else in this world. And aside from the short stint of her tour, I want to go to bed every night with her next to me safe and sound. I want her to be happy. Whatever Jay wants, I’m going to give it to her. If she wants ten kids, then she’ll have them. I don’t care about her money. I have my own. I’m sure it’s pennies compared to what she has, but it’s not about the money, and you know that. If you want me to sign something, I will, but I’m not going anywhere. Ever.”
The corners of her mouth tip up as she fights back a smile and points at me. “You promise me right now, Zach Easton, that you will treat my daughter right, and you will stay faithful and loyal to her. Do not break her spirit.”
“What about her heart?”
“You’ll break it a hundred times. No relationship is perfect. My advice is to never go to bed or leave the house angry. Always say ‘I love you’ and mean it.”
“I promise.”
This time she does smile. “Then welcome to the family.”
Well, that went a whole lot better than I expected.
Jayla
Levi pulls up to the curb outside Olivia’s sister’s apartment, and I spot Cherry’s mom’s gold Chevy Malibu parked in front of the building. I’d called Cherry on my way to pick up Harper and Lexi. I’m glad she was able to come.
“Do you want to come in with us?” Lexi asks Levi as I push open the back door and slide out.
Levi scowls over his shoulder. “Not at fucking all.” I shouldn’t laugh, but sometimes I can’t help it. Levi holds nothing back. He’s like the male version of Weenie. “I’ll be right here when you’re ready to go.”
Mia and Holly live in downtown Heritage near Oceanside Drive. The building is similar to Dylan and Alex’s, where you need a code to get in the front door and the apartments are on the inside. Harper punches in the four-digit code she had memorized from when she lived here with Mia. When Harper moved out, Olivia’s sister, Holly moved in. There’s a buzz followed by a click, unlocking the door. Harper grabs the handle and waves us in. The three of us make our way up the stairs to Mia and Holly’s apartment on the second floor.
“Should I tell her I saw him this morning?” Harper asks.
“Yes, but not right away,” I reply. “Let’s let her get it all out first.”
“I feel so bad for her,” Lexi says. “If Evan ever broke up with me, I would literally die of a broken heart.”
I throw my arm around her shoulders. “Evan would never let you go,” I assure her. “In fact, I’m betting you two will be next.”
She scoffs. “We better be. Although, I’d like to be old enough to drink at my own wedding.”
I laugh and push her away. “Shut up.”
“Ditto,” Harper adds as we stop outside the door. She knocks, then turns the knob and peeks inside. “Olivia,” she calls out as she pushes open the door. We follow her inside as she says, “We’re here.”
Olivia is wrapped in the arms of her sister, Holly, sobbing. Cherry is on her other side, rubbing a hand over her back. A sharp pain spreads across my chest, and I honestly think my heart just broke.
Lexi sniffs beside me and moves to crouch in front of Olivia. “Sweetie, we’re here.”
Harper moves to sit in the adjacent chair.
“He didn’t even say goodbye,” Olivia cries. “He just… left.”
I catch Cherry’s eye and mouth, “Did you read it?” She shakes her head.
Holly releases Olivia and stands from the sofa, and Lexi moves in to take her spot. Holly jerks her head to the side, and I follow her to the kitchen.
She presses a hand to her chest once we’re alone. “I don’t know what to do, Jay. I have never seen her this upset. I get that she’s heartbroken, but it’s not the end of the world. She’s acting like someone died.”
Heartbreak goes hand in hand with grief. Carter didn’t die, but Olivia still lost him. She’s grieving. Who are we to tell her how to feel? Clearly Holly has never experienced great love.
I take in a deep, calming breath through my nose and blow it out slowly. “What did the letter say?”
“She wouldn’t let me read it.” She presses a palm against her forehead. “All I know is he broke up with her and told her not to come to California.”
Sighing, I lean back against the counter. A gray cat hops on the counter, purring as he rubs his face against my arm. “Hi, kitty.” I lift my hand to pet him, but he snubs me by turning last minute and lifting his tail, giving me a clear shot of his butthole. “Well then.”
“Ignore him. He’s an asshole,” Holly tells me.
“Clearly.” I curl my lip.
“I want to wring that fucker’s neck. Our parents have basically disowned Olivia, and then he dumps her.”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“Our parents were totally against Olivia’s decision to leave her old high school and be a part of your Project Mayhem class. They think it’s a waste of time and that, when all of this comes to an end, Olivia will end up back home living off them or waiting tables.” She rolls her eyes. “They’re two of the most ignorant people you’ll ever meet and the reason I moved out of the house the day I turned eighteen.”
“Did they kick her out?”
She nods. “Last night after graduation. They gave her an ultimatum. Stay home and go to college, or get out. So she came here. Carter gave her that note yesterday after graduation and told her to wait until today to open it. She thought it was a love note.” Her voice cracks, and a tear slips down her cheek.
That explains why Olivia didn’t show up at the graduation party last night. She probably had no idea about Zach and me.
“I’m supposed to have dinner with my boyfriend and his daughter tonight. I don’t want to cancel, but at the same time, I don’t want to leave her.”
I shake my head. “Go to dinner. We’ll take care of Olivia.”
Closing the space between us, she wraps me in a hug. “Thank you, Jay. Olivia is so lucky to have you.” She pulls back and gives me a sad smile. “I saw the news. Olivia doesn’t know.”
“I figured.”
Zeke is sitting in the front passenger seat of the SUV when the five of us emerge from Holly’s apartment building. After the parking garage incident, my mom and Bass amped up my security team. Zeke mostly works the front gate of my neighborhood, but he fills in when he’s needed. And since Troy is off for the next few days, Zeke is filling in.
Levi hops out and rounds the truck to store Olivia’s bags in the trunk as the rest of us pile into the car.
“Where’d you come from?” I ask Z
eke.
Zeke looks over his shoulder. “I got dropped off.” His eyes flick to my friends and he smirks. “Levi figured he’d need backup.”
Levi returns to his position behind the wheel. “Where to?” he asks.
“We’re gonna follow Cherry to her house to drop off her mom’s car. I’m having a girls’ night at my house.”
“Fun,” he mock cheers, and I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.
“I’m hungry,” Lexi pipes up.
“Me, too,” Harper adds. “Let’s go to that Mexican place in Pelican Cove.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “Are you trying to get me killed?”
Harper throws her head back and laughs hysterically.
“What did I miss?” Lexi asks.
“Nothing,” I say at the same time Harper says, “Only the biggest camel toe you’ve ever seen.”
“What?” Lexi laughs. “Now we have to go there.”
Curling my lip in disgust, I say, “It’s not the zoo, Lexi,” before turning my attention to Harper. “Why do you always want to go there?"
“Because their tacos are fire.”
They are pretty damn delicious. “Fine.” I roll my eyes. “We can go there, but it’s every woman for herself. If that thing gets near me, I won’t hesitate to shove you in front of me to save my own damn life.”
“How’s it going?” Zach asks through the phone.
“She’s heartbroken,” I tell him honestly. “There’s more stuff, too, but I’ll tell you later.”
“Are you still there with her?”
“No. We’re in Pelican Cove. We just had dinner at that Mexican place.”
Zach snickers. “Did you see anything interesting?” Much to Lexi’s disappointment, the camel toe had the night off. Thank God for small miracles.
“Ha ha,” I mock.
“So where are you now? It’s quiet.”
“Levi and I left the girls at the restaurant to finish eating and came to this boutique a few doors down. I’m grabbing a few things, and then we’re heading back to the house for a girls’ night.”
“Am I allowed to come home?”
I giggle. “Of course. Are you heading out for dinner?”
“Yeah. I’m meeting the guys at Mac’s. Your uncle Max reserved the upstairs for us so we can shoot pool and talk wedding shit without having to worry about any reporters sneaking around. You can meet us there if you want.”
Wedding shit?
“No. Go talk wedding shit with the guys. I’ll see you when you get home.”
“Okay,” he says through a soft laugh. “Love you.”
I grin. “Love you. Mean it.” Hanging up, I shove my phone in my back pocket and make my way up to the counter to check out. I found five light blue sleep shirts with Bridesmaid printed on the front, one with Maid of Honor, a white one with Bride, and seven pairs of slippers.
After I pay for my purchase, Levi and I make our way back to car where the girls should be waiting by now. I pull out my phone and call Weenie.
“What’s up, bitch?” she answers.
“Is that any way to talk to your future sister-in-law?”
She goes quiet for a moment. “Shit. I hadn’t thought of that.” Me either. Not until this very moment. There’s no doubt in my mind that she and Alex will get married one day, and when they do, she’ll be my sister-in-law.
“We’re having a girls’ night at my house. You in?”
“I’m too old for slumber parties, Jay.”
“Hmm. That’s too bad. I just bought the cutest nightshirt for my maid of honor and matching slippers at this boutique in Pelican Square. I’ll have Harper try it on. Or Lexi.”
“Fine,” she growls into the phone. “You’re such a pain in the ass. I’m going to torture you when I get married. Think bridezilla.”
That makes me laugh. “In all seriousness, Weenie, I really want to spend time with you. Get off your boyfriend for a few hours and come over. You don’t have to spend the night if you don’t want to.”
I can practically hear her smiling on the other end of the line. “I’ll bring champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries.”
“Bring extra. Carter broke up with Olivia, and she’s extremely devastated. And you know how much Mama loves chocolate-covered strawberries.”
“Who’s Olivia?”
I roll my eyes. “Bye.”
“Miss King,” a male voice calls out, and Levi immediately moves to stand in front of me.
“No comment,” Levi states firmly.
Peering around Levi, I see the man raising his hands in defense. “I’m not here to ask any questions or take any photos. I promise.”
I recognize him as the reporter who approached Zach outside The Bistro earlier this afternoon. “What do you want?” I ask.
“I want to help you.” Reaching into his shirt pocket, he pulls out a business card and passes it to me. “My name is Brian Fuller. I run a celebrity blog called The Gossip Police. We only report the truth.”
“Your truth or mine?”
He lets out a soft chuckle. “Always yours. We usually get wind of a story before it breaks. And the moment we know, you’ll know, because you’ll get an email alert. You can respond to the email confirming or denying the story and commenting with your truth. When or if you choose to do so, we’ll post your response to the blog. We’re not the paparazzi. We don’t chase down celebrities asking for a comment. Everything is done through email.”
“Interesting,” I say. “You couldn’t have just emailed my manager?”
“I did,” he replies with a smirk.
My mom has been a little busy lately dealing with my crap….
“But I also wanted to introduce myself to you in person.” He pauses. “Listen. I know you had a hard time with that blogger earlier this year, and I know your mom had her shut down. Kelly Cunninger was a troll who was obsessed with you. We have hundreds of thousands of subscribers on our blog and have never disappointed our readers or the celebrities we report on. Everyone loves gossip, but our subscribers love reading the truth directly from the horse’s mouth.”
“So what do you want from me?” I ask, shifting my stance.
“At the moment? Nothing. Except maybe to shake your hand.” He extends his hand, and I take it. “I met your father once,” he says, releasing my hand and shoving it in his pocket. “I was just starting out as a reporter, and I caught him just as he walked out of King Records. He truly was The Gentleman of Rock n’ Roll. That title suited him.”
“He was,” I agree.
“And I can see why he shielded you from the world. You’re even more beautiful than I expected.”
“Dude,” Levi chastises.
“Take it easy.” Brian chuckles, raising a hand. “It’s just a compliment.”
“Thank you, Brian.” I shove his card into my purse. “It was nice meeting you. I expect I’ll be getting a lot of emails from you in the next four weeks.” I shoot him a wink before Levi and I continue to the car.
Zach
My task is complete. I have seven groomsmen. Well, six plus Chelsea. Cole, Logan, Brad, Evan, Justin, and, since Carter’s gone, I asked Grayson. Even though I spent the majority of my senior year hating him, he did save Jay’s life.
“I can’t believe you picked Mackenzie over your brother,” Logan snarks, slapping a hand to his chest, “your own flesh and blood, to be your best man.” He tsks and shakes his head as he bends over the pool table to take his shot.
“This is coming from the very same brother who didn’t tell me he had a kid,” I fire back, and he narrows his eyes. “Yeah.” I huff out a laugh. “Bet you thought I’d forgotten that.”
I round the pool table, leaning my backside against it. “I’m just messing with you, bro. I asked Cole because with everything Jay and I have been through, he’s been my rock.”
Logan nods and clasps my shoulder. “I get it. It’s all good, Zachy. I’m happy to be second in command.”
I r
efrain from shoving my pool stick up his ass for calling me Zachy because he’s not going to like what I have to say next.
“Actually, you’ll be third.” I wince.
He gives me a look. “Seriously?”
“She wants Chelsea in the wedding.”
Logan curls his lip. “Why?”
I shrug. “Sentimental reasons, I guess. Honestly, I don’t care what her reasons are. This is her wedding, and she can have whatever she wants.”
Logan throws his head back and laughs. “You’ve got this husband gig down.” He slaps me on the back. “You’re going to have a long, healthy marriage, Zach.”
“Dude,” Brad says as he comes to stand beside me. Leaning against the table, he crosses his feet at the ankles and jerks his chin. “Mackenzie looks like someone ran over his dog.”
Following his line of sight, I see Cole sitting at the table with Evan, Grayson, and Justin. His chair is turned to the side, legs stretched out in front of him and arms crossed over his chest, looking lost in thought. “He’s just got a lot on his mind right now.”
“I heard his boy left town,” Brad says.
I nod. “Yep. This morning.”
“Who?” Logan asks.
“Carter,” I reply.
“He’ll be back for the wedding though, right?” Brad asks.
Shaking my head, I say, “Doubt it. Daddy dearest has got his boys on lockdown.”
“Since when?”
I shrug. “Since this morning and from now on, I guess. You know he broke up with Olivia, right?”
“That sucks,” Logan chimes in before walking over to put his pool cue away.
Brad’s eyebrows shoot up to his hairline. “No way.” His face twists into a scowl. “I can’t believe Cherry didn’t tell me.”
I shrug. “I’m sure she’s been preoccupied with Olivia. Jay said she isn’t handling it well, so they’re having a girls’ night at the house.”
Cole walks over and shoves his hands in his pockets. “We should get out of here and go do something.”
I narrow my eyes at him as Brad asks, “Like what?”
Cole grins. “I have an idea.”