I'll Be Okay (C.M.B)

Chapter 9 - Child Handoffs

The next day I was too busy with work, setting up potential social media campaign's and taking care of Carter, so it wasn't until the day after that that I saw Corbyn.

The boys had been preparing all morning for the photoshoot and it was finally time to take pictures. My job was about to get insane in the next few hours.

When I get to the studio that they were at I already saw Zach holding a halo above Jack's head for his headshot for the main Instagram. Corbyn ran over towards me with light make up already done and looked around before saying anything.

"Glad you could make it," He smiled pulling me in for a hug.

"It's important to see what I'm working with... and you I guess," I pretended to be nonchalant about it and gained a chuckle from Corbyn.

"I better be important," Corbyn faked being upset looking around again quickly and pulling me in for a five second kiss. When he pulled away he looked around again to see Jonah approaching us and then smiled, "I think it's my turn soon."

Jonah came up to us holding one of the halos in his hand. He gestured over towards Corbyn and the both of us followed. It did make me think though, Jonah came over to only seconds after we kissed so I was hoping he didn't see. If he did, I knew he could keep a secret, it's just harder the more people involved.

Corbyn took a bunch of pictures and afterwards went over to talk to the rest of the boys. As I stood there scrolling through pictures, I heard a voice and jumped a bit.

"Wow these look great, the fans are gonna love it," Jonah commented.

"Yea you guys look fantastic, soon you'll have girls swooning," I teased.

"Nah, it's not about the girls," Jonah replied, "It's just about making and presenting music to adoring fans who deserve as much content as they can get."

"That's a sweet thought to have," I commented.

"Originally it was like that I'll admit, but there's so much more to the music industry that I love other than girls at your feet. We all kind of learned it together as brothers," Jonah explained gesturing to the rest of the boys who were goofing around for a potential Tiktok.

"The bond you guys have is something to be sought after," I smiled.

In that moment I thought the conversation was over, so I was about to pull out my phone to check if there were any updates from Carter or any dreaded texts from Matt. Before I could fully take out my phone, Jonah had interrupted me.

"Hey, are you free after this? I thought it'd be fun to get to know each other, especially since you'll he overseeing my socials."

So it appears that Jonah actually didn't see what Corbyn and I were doing before. As handsome and charming Jonah was, I already had one. I didn't wanna get in between any of the boys, so I decided to make it clear that it would strictly be friendly.

"Just friends though right? I'm not supposed to be really engaged with any of you boys," I reaffirmed.

"Oh," Jonah paused, "Yeah of course. I was actually gonna ask some of the other guys if they wanted to join, so don't worry about anything."

A smooth recovery by Jonah was performed, but I knew now we were both roped into doing this. Despite the fact it's a little awkward, I assumed it'd probably be at least a little fun. It would be a nice motherly and relationship break. Maybe it'd be nice having friendships within this band as opposed to whatever Corbyn and I have.

"That'd be fun!" I exclaimed.

The both of us walked up to the herd of boys asking if any of them wanted to come. I know Corbyn would've but he was busy for the remainder of the night. Daniel had a date with Franny, Zach had clothing fitting appointment, and Jack had to stay home since he was taking care of Lavender that night.

When we heard that everyone had said no we just looked at each other and back at everyone else.

"We can reschedule if you want," Jonah offered.

"I'm fine with you and me," I smiled, I was fine with it especially if it was just going to be a friends outing.

"Sounds great then," Jonah smiled back, "Right after this is done just find me and we can leave."

"Will do," I said watching him walk to the rest of the boys as I then pulled out my phone.

To my dismay there was actually a text from Matt.

Matt: Hey baby, you figure it out yet? Please let me see Carter.

I huffed as mad as I was for him for cheating he was still Carter's dad. He was a shitty boyfriend, but a good dad. I knew I couldn't keep him away from Carter for any longer.

I went back over to Jonah who was talking to Jack and I had to interrupt.

"I know this is weird, but wherever we end up hanging out can I do the hand off from Carter to his father," I requested.

"Literally no problem," Jonah smiled looking over towards Jack who began to speak.

"Jonah's witnesses the child hand off many times, don't worry about it," Jack stated earning a smile from me.

I went back to my phone and spoke.

Me: I'll be free around 5ish. Come over to my place and you can take him for the weekend.

Matt: Thank you so much, I will be there. I miss him and you.

Me: Then maybe you shouldn't have cheated...

Matt: I'm sorry

Me: You should be

I put my phone down and the boys proceeded to take a few more pictures and then began group photos. When they were done we were free to go. I made my way over towards Jonah, but Corbyn interrupted me.

"I'll be free at 10pm tonight if you wanna come over. Jonah's gonna be out with Jack and Zach," Corbyn stated.

"Oh sure, I'd love to," I replied setting a mental reminder for myself and then going over towards Jonah.

"Ready?" He asked and I nodded my head.

We went over to his car and I realized that he didn't know my address because we had to go get Carter. I told him and we went right away since it had already turned 5 and we were going to be late.

We pulled into the parking lot and I noticed Matt's car there already. I pointed it out to Jonah before walking into the apartment.

When I walked in I saw Matt talking to Rachel and playing with Carter.

"I waited so you could say goodbye, whose this?" Matt spoke gesturing towards Jonah.

"Jonah," He introduced himself going for a handshake, "We work together."

"Emma never told me she had a job," Matt pondered.

"We're not dating," I interrupted before Matt could continue, I then brushed past him and went over towards Carter, "Have fun with Dada! I love you and I'm gonna miss you so much!"

I hugged my little boy and then watched as Matt exited with Carter. I felt a sinking feeling in my heart, but I knew Carter was safe in Matt's protection. It was our kid, we had to share him.

Rachel was probably relieved she didn't have babysitter duty for the weekends, but I was still crushed. However, I couldn't show this in front of Jonah since it was like the third time I ever met him. I kept it to myself, but I just wanted my baby boy and family back already.

Leaving the apartment became no problem only because I didn't have to worry about Carter. This feeling was both a positive and a negative, but again I tried to show no emotion about it in front of Jonah especially since we were going over to his house to have a fun time.