Reckless || Corbyn Besson ✓

/ TWELVE /

❝ T H E  O N E  A N D  O N L Y ❞

After saying her goodbyes to Jonah's family, Addilyn climbs onto the tour bus, her nose wrinkling at the crowded condition as Corbyn trails behind her.

All of their luggage had been piled haphazardly on top of the toy Lamborghinis and SUV and pushed into one corner, somewhat out of the way. In the middle of the space sits a coffee table overflowing with food. Lined against the other wall are two couches and a lone bean bag chair, the majority of the seats occupied by five teenagers.

"It's cleaner than I expected it to be," Aurora mutters as she and Jonah appear behind the couple, quickly earning a reprimanding look from Jonah. "What? It was a compliment!"

One of the boys jumps up from his seat, coming forward with a kind smile on his face. "I don't believe we've met yet," he states in a thick English accent, holding a hand out for Addilyn to shake. "I'm Brooklyn."

Aurora pushes forward, swatting his hand away before Addilyn can take it. "You're not allowed to touch, dipshit."

"All I wanted was a handshake!" The bleach blond exclaims, cradling the smacked hand to his chest. Corbyn subtlety scoots closer to Addilyn, lacing his hand through hers.

"And all I wanted was to sho-"

"Who wants the grande tour?" Rye interjects, springing from his spot and nudging Brooklyn back as Aurora sticks her tongue out.

"We do!" Addilyn exclaims.

The bus suddenly lurches forward, causing her to stumble. Corbyn's arm instinctively snakes around her waist, steadying the girl. Aurora, however, isn't able to catch her balance as she face plants onto the floor.

"Dammit, Marais," she groans, pushing herself up into a sitting position. "Why didn't you catch me?"

"The floor looked like it could use a hug," Jonah shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly, stepping forward to help her stand.

"The floor could have had the fucking decency to ask for a hug," Aurora pouts, crossing her arms as she leans into Jonah's side.

"Watch your language," Mikey chastises from the bean bag chair.

"Fuckity fuck fuck fuck!" She shouts, ignoring the aghast look on his face and turning to Jonah with a mischievous grin. "You know, I was thinking we should stop by Toys R Us to visit Georgie before we leave Minnesota. We could invi-"

"There is no need for any of that," Jonah quickly cuts her off, pressing a chaste kiss to her temple. "I promise to catch you next time."

"I've heard that before."

****

"So, are the two of you dating?" Jack questions, gesturing to Corbyn, whose head rests in Addilyn's lap as he naps peacefully.

After taking the grande tour of the tour bus and learning everyone's names, Corbyn was exhausted. Leaving the others in the back room while Aurora fought Andy for the only swivel chair, Addilyn and Corbyn snuck back into the main room so the boy could have his 'nap time'.

"Yeah," Addilyn smiles, running a gentle hand through his hair as her heart flutters at the thought.

Jack opens his mouth to say something else but is cut off by Addilyn's phone ringing. Corbyn's eyes snap open and he looks around bewilderedly, relaxing once his gaze lands on Addilyn.

A small frown forms on her face as she glances at her phone screen, not recognizing the number.

"Hello?" Addilyn answers the call, bringing her phone up to her ear.

"Hey, Addi-kins," a familiar voice floods through the line.

Addilyn gasps, her small smile broadening. "Carson!"

"The one and only," her older brother chuckles. A muffled reply from his best friend can be heard in the background as he adds, "And Nick is here too."

"Tell him I said hi," Addilyn giggles before abruptly changing the topic. "Do you have any idea how worried I've been? I haven't received any letters, texts, or phone calls from you for nearly three months! I understand that you stay busy and what not, but seriously? Just mailing a fucking Post-It note that said 'I'm alive' would have been more than satisfactory!"

"I know," Carson sighs, not bothering to chastise Addilyn for her language. "I'm sorry about that. But, things around here are finally slowing down so we should be able to talk a lot more often. You haven't isolated yourself during these three months, have you?"

"No," Addilyn confirms at the exact moment Aurora rolls into the room, sitting in the swivel chair.

Jonah and Andy follow closely, waiting for her to knock something over. Corbyn motions for them to be quiet, gesturing to the phone pressed to Addilyn's ear.

"I made some great friends and got a pet."

"What kind of pet?" Carson questions warily. "It better not be another monkey."

"Marshall was a great pet so don't try to convince me otherwise," Addilyn protests indignantly. "And this pet isn't a monkey. He's a duckling named Mr. Quackington."

"How did you get a duckling?"

"Corbyn stole him for me," she explains simply, glancing down at the boy who had yet to leave her lap.

"It sounds like you've been a bad influence," Carson teases.

"Believe it or not, I'm not the bad influence in this group," Addilyn explains smugly. "That's Aurora."

"Damn straight!" Aurora yells proudly, pumping her fist in the air.

"Next time I call, I want to hear all about these new friends of yours," Carson states.

"Do you have to go?" Addilyn asks, trying not to let him hear her disappointment.

"Yeah, but you won't have to wait another three months before hearing from me again," he promises. "And I have good news."

"You got tickets to one of Ed Sheeran's concerts?" Addilyn guesses, knowing good and well how badly he despised the ginger singer.

"No." She can practically see him currently rolling his eyes.

"I give up," she says. "What's the good news?"

"I'm coming home on December 23rd and staying until the day after your birthday."