Marriage, Mayhem & Happily Ever After Read online

  Contents

  Character List

  Author’s Note

  Once upon a time…

  The Proposal

  The Planning

  The Wedding Party

  The Dress

  The Letters

  The Big Announcement

  The Night Before

  The Wedding Day

  The Honeymoon

  … and they lived happily ever after

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Also by M.A. Foster

  Marriage, Mayhem & Happily Ever After

  Copyright © 2019 by M.A. Foster

  All rights reserved.

  Cover design: Ruben Carbonell &

  Andrea Adams at Bookend Designs

  Interior Design: Abigail Davies at Pink Elephant Designs

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and purchase your own copy.

  Character List

  Jayla “Jaybird” King ~ Bride.

  Zach Easton ~ Groom.

  Emerson (Mackenzie) King ~ Mother of the bride.

  Marcus King ~ Father of the Bride.

  Alex Reyes ~ Brother of the bride.

  Max and Jessica Mackenzie ~ Bride’s uncle and aunt.

  Dylan and Aiden Mackenzie ~ Bride’s cousins.

  Liam Mackenzie ~ Bride’s uncle.

  Max “Mac” and Ella “Mimi” Mackenzie ~ Grandparents of the bride.

  Bass (pronounced Base) ~ Bride’s escort.

  Andrew “Drew” Wild ~ Bride’s godfather and escort.

  Michael and Elizabeth Easton ~ Parents of the groom.

  Logan Easton ~ Brother of the groom.

  Jameson “James” and Katherine “Kate” Parker ~ Grandparents of the groom.

  Cameron “Cam” Parker ~ Groom’s uncle.

  Wedding Party

  Bridesmaids:

  Evangeline Skye

  Chelsea Wells

  Harper Murphy

  Lexi Davis

  Cherry Russell

  Olivia Connor

  Kali Rosewood

  Groomsmen:

  Cole Mackenzie

  Lucas Wild

  Logan Mackenzie

  Evan Martinez

  Brad Manning

  Justin Phillips

  Grayson Martinez

  Flower Girls:

  Willow Mackenzie

  Zoe Easton

  Security:

  Levi Martinez

  Troy Steele

  Heritage Bay

  Heritage Bay is a fictional place inspired by certain areas of the author’s hometown.

  This book is dedicated to my readers. Especially to the ladies in my readers group, who have supported me along the way. Without you, this wouldn’t be possible.

  “In fairy tales, the prince and princess always get their happily ever after.”

  ~ Jayla Easton

  Author’s Note

  This book is not a standalone and contains spoilers from Jaybird, Mackenzie, and Cougar.

  St. Thomas, two years ago

  Zach

  The guard waved as our driver eased the SUV through a set of tall white gates and up the long driveway lined with tropical trees and exotic flowers.

  “This is where we’re staying?” I asked incredulously before looking over at my grandparents.

  Grandma Kate nodded. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

  It was. I didn’t know what I was expecting, but it definitely wasn’t this. “This looks like a resort. Is this just one house?”

  “It is. Wait till you see the view from the back.”

  The exterior was a light yellow color with steps leading up to the wide porch and a set of dark wooden doors. White storm shutters framed the windows, and the roof was topped with bright red clay tiles. St. Thomas was paradise.

  The SUV rolled to a stop in the circular driveway. Opening the passenger door, I climbed out of the back seat. A dark-skinned man dressed in khaki shorts and a white button-down collared shirt emerged from the house and made his way toward us. His long braids were pulled back from his face and secured with a rubber band. “Welcome,” he said with a thick accent as he held out his hand. “I’m Felipe.”

  I shook his hand. “Zach. Nice to meet you.”

  After introducing himself to my grandparents, Felipe headed to the back of the SUV and began unloading our luggage.

  “Let me help you with that,” I offered.

  “No, sir,” he replied with a bright toothy smile. “We’ll take care of it.” He nodded to our driver—who had introduced himself earlier as Jessif—when he came around to help Felipe with our bags. As the two of them joked and laughed with each other, I noticed they were twins.

  I followed my grandparents up the stairs, through a set of double doors and into the foyer where the Mackenzies were waiting.

  Mac and Ella Mackenzie were my grandparents’ best friends, and every summer our families vacationed together. But this year it was just me. My brother, Logan, was away at college, and the Mackenzie boys had other commitments. Truthfully, the only reason I came was because I knew she would be here.

  “Zach,” Mimi greeted with a smile as I leaned down to give her a hug. “I’m so glad you came. Jayla was disappointed she wasn’t going to be seeing her cousins on this trip.”

  My gaze drifted over her shoulder, and I sucked in a sharp breath before pulling away. I heard my grandfather say something about the beach… golf… tee time… Ritz Carlton. Blah, blah, blah. I was only half listening because my attention was locked on the view straight ahead.

  The entire back wall was floor-to-ceiling glass spanning the width of the house. The infinity pool just off the patio looked like it dropped off into the ocean that went on for hundreds of miles. Off in the distance, I could see mountains surrounded by more water. It looked like something you’d see on a postcard.

  But none of those things compared to the breathtaking view of the beauty climbing out of the swimming pool. Her raven-colored hair cascaded down her back like black silk. Her skin was tanned and smooth, and her legs went on for days. Jayla had always been tall, thin, and beautiful.

  Her white bikini bottoms were tied at the sides of her narrow hips, and the cheeks of her perfect little ass were peeking out. I imagined what it would be like to cup those cheeks in my hands. And just when I thought she couldn’t be more perfect, she turned around.

  I felt like I’d been gut punched.

  Jayla had definitely filled out in all the right places. Her boobs were barely contained behind two triangle-shaped scraps of material.

  “Zach!” she said with excitement.

  I didn’t remember moving, but somehow I found myself standing in front of her, speechless and staring into her jeweled-colored eyes.

  “Jay,” I said, breathlessly. “You look…
.” I raked my eyes down her hot-as-hell body and back up to her beautiful face.

  She laughed.

  I loved her laugh.

  It had been too long. The last time I saw her was two years ago when we sneakily shared our first kiss.

  She threw her arms around my neck and kissed me on the cheek. Water soaked through my T-shirt and shorts. I didn’t care. “I’m so glad you’re here. We’re gonna have so much fun.”

  I wrapped my arms around her waist. “Me, too.” I shifted my gaze to the view of the ocean. “This place is unreal. I don’t think I ever want to leave.”

  She glanced over her shoulder, then turned back to me. “Yeah, I know. I love it here.”

  “You’ve stayed here before?”

  “Yeah.” She snorted as she grabbed her cover-up from the lounge chair and pulled it over her head. “This is my house.”

  Huh?

  I was in shock.

  “Your dad is Marcus King?”

  She nodded.

  “Lead singer of Royal Mayhem, Marcus King?”

  She nodded again.

  “The Marcus King from America’s Voice?”

  Another nod followed by an amused smile.

  “Holy shit.” I huffed out a laugh. “I can’t believe I’m just finding this out now.”

  She shrugged. “My dad is very private when it comes to our family, and he’s very protective of me. The only time he lets me out of his sight is to spend time with my grandparents. Summer vacations with Mimi and Mac Daddy are as close to normal as things get for me.”

  Marcus King was big-time famous. I couldn’t imagine life had ever been easy or normal for Jay.

  “So my grandparents know your dad?”

  “Yes, of course.” She laughed. “Where do think they stay when they’re in California visiting Cam? Definitely not at Cam and Liam’s bachelor pad. You do know that Cam lives next door to me, right?”

  I let out a sharp laugh. “No.” It was crazy how much our lives were intertwined by our families, yet I knew so little about her. “I can’t believe all this time I’ve been spending my summer vacations with a rock princess,” I teased, shaking my head. “And I can’t believe Cole never told me.”

  “Don’t take it personally, Zach. We’re a close family. Aside from my dad, Cole is probably the most protective. He and my dad are like this.” She held up her crossed fingers. “The fewer people who know about our family tree, the better. I kind of like my anonymity. I can go out in public or shopping without the worry of being stalked by the paparazzi or having a camera shoved in my face.”

  “What does your mom do?” I knew very little about Emerson Mackenzie other than she was my grandparents’ goddaughter and used to be my mom’s best friend.

  “She manages my dad and handles all the PR for Royal Mayhem.”

  “I’ll bet you’ve got some interesting stories.”

  Her knowing smile said yes.

  She wrapped her arms around my neck. “Want to hear my favorite story?”

  “Yes.”

  “Once upon a time, there was a princess. A rock princess,” she added with a giggle, “who met a prince at a place ironically called the Magic Kingdom. The Magic Kingdom was filled with lots of princes, but the rock princess only had eyes for one.”

  “Do they live happily ever after?” I teased.

  She shrugged. “Their story has only just begun, but as they say in fairy tales, the prince and princess always get their happily ever after.”

  Present day

  Jayla

  I did it.

  I graduated high school.

  “I never thought I’d see this day,” Mom says, her eyes filled with tears.

  I know what she means, but I can’t help it. She brings it on herself. “You didn’t think I’d graduate from high school?”

  She scoffs, wiping away her tears. “No. I never thought I’d get to see you walk across the stage and accept your diploma with the rest of your class. This is a big moment for me, too.” She’s been very emotional lately. She says it’s hormones. I say it’s just her being crazy.

  Since our group has become so enmeshed, our graduation parties have been combined and are taking place at the Heritage Bay Beach and Country Club. The security is so tight, even the President would approve.

  Zach wraps his arms around me from behind. “Babe, I have a graduation gift for you,” he growls in my ear.

  “It’s gonna have to wait till after the party, horndog.” I laugh.

  “I’m standing right here,” Mom says.

  “Oh.” I snort at the same time Zach says, “It’s not that. Come with me.”

  Zach leads the way through the french doors and out to the balcony overlooking the bay. He reaches into the inside pocket of his jacket, pulls out a folded piece of paper, and passes it to me.

  “What’s this?” I ask.

  “Read it.”

  Slowly, I unfold the paper and skim over the words ‘Letter of Intent.’ At the bottom of the page is Zach’s signature. “You committed to Gulf Coast University?”

  He nods.

  I was afraid Zach would choose Gulf Coast University because of the attack, but the letter is dated a couple of weeks before it happened.

  “You did this for me?”

  “I did this for us. We’re a team. You said that once.” He leans over and presses a kiss to my forehead. “Football is my life, but you’re my everything, Jay.”

  His words are familiar.

  I’d said something similar about my dad at his funeral.

  Zach was there.

  My eyes well up with tears. “You were at the funeral?”

  He nods. “I was.”

  I press my hand to my chest. “I don’t know what to say, Z.”

  “Say yes.” He drops to one knee and pulls a ring from his pocket, and I move my hand to cover my mouth. “Jayla Mackenzie King, I love you. Every good decision I’ve made so far is because of you. You are the strongest, most beautiful person I’ve ever known, inside and out. No one has ever made me smile, laugh, or even cry as much as you have. You make me feel things that I only ever want to feel with you. I’ll never forget the day I met you in your sparkly shoes and your princess shirt. When you kicked Logan in the shin and called him a punk, I thought you were the coolest girl I’d ever met. I think I loved you then. Our first kiss confirmed my feelings for you were real. And then that summer in St. Thomas, I knew without a doubt that you were it for me. You’re my girl, Jay.” Zach gets to his feet and wraps his arms around my waist. “Marry me?”

  Tears slide down my cheeks, and a smile is permanently etched on my face. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Z. I love you.”

  “I love you, too, Jay.” He presses a gentle kiss to my lips and slides the ring onto my finger.

  Just after the most beautiful proposal, the collective sound of everyone’s cell phones all ringing at once has Zach and me looking through the glass doors. Then Zach’s phone chirps.

  He pulls his phone from his pocket and swipes his finger across the screen. I watch as his eyes bulge before he passes his phone to me.

  Jaybird Is Off The Market

  Jayla King, 18, whom we’ve all come to know as Jaybird, is off the market. A source tells us that the rising star married her longtime boyfriend, Zach Easton, 19, while vacationing in St. Thomas. The couple exchanged their “I dos” in a private ceremony on the secluded beach near King’s villa. The source claims the two seemed happy and very much in love.

  “Jaylaaaaa!” my mom’s voice rings out from inside. Shit.

  Zach smirks. “Let me rephrase the question. Will you marry me… again?”

  My mom storms out to the balcony, and Elizabeth moves to stand beside her with her arms crossed over her chest, eyes locked on Zach.

  Mom waves her phone in the air. “Tell me this isn’t true.”

  I straighten my shoulders and say, “It’s true.”

  It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t planned. Jessif and Felipe, the two men wh
o have taken care of my home in St. Thomas since I was a little girl, are like family. They have a lot of connections around town, and it just so happens that they have a friend who works in the application office. We paid the fee, and she pushed our application through. The next morning, Zach and I got married on the beach. Felipe officiated. A few hours later, Alex and Evangeline showed up. The next day, our friends arrived and spent the rest of our spring break as newlyweds. No one was the wiser. Not even Troy and Levi.

  “Why?” Her eyes glaze over with unshed tears, and my heart sinks. “Why would you do that?” she continues, her voice cracking on the last word.

  My eyes well up with tears at the hurt in her voice. “I’m sorry, Mom. I thought you out of anyone would understand since you eloped with Dad.”

  My dad had always claimed that the moment he met my mother, he knew instantly that she was the one. And I’ve always known Zach was the one for me.

  “Well I don’t,” she snaps in a low, angry voice. She looks over her shoulder, and I follow her line of sight. There’s a crowd forming on the other side of the doors, mostly our friends, curiously watching our exchange. Then there’s Cole, who’s looking at us with a ‘what the hell did you do?’ expression on his face.

  “Zach, does your father know about this?” Elizabeth asks.

  “No.”

  “I hope this doesn’t affect your place on the team.”

  Zach scoffs. “They didn’t have a problem with Cole having a kid. Why would they care if I have a wife?” he argues.