The Carrero Heart - Beginning (Friends to Lovers)

Arrick sits forward, discarding his mug this time, and rests his elbows on his knees as he thinks this through. The frown on his face showing he is weighing things up and trying to figure out the best way to help me. To figure out what’s best for me. I know he’s internally juggling my family’s wishes to have me home, with my own need to start taking my life into my own hands.

“We see Jake tomorrow and we talk more about this then, Sophs. As your godfather, he’ll want to have major input! If you want to do this, then you have to make some promises to your family. Promises to me. There has to be ground rules if they’re going to relax and trust me to look after you in this way.” He is in no-nonsense, business mode; a determined look on his face that he’s really considering this for me. I can’t help the small smile that starts spreading across my face, knowing he might actually help make this a reality if I can prove it’s what I really want.

“Shoot.” I curl my legs under me and sit leaning nearer him, making it clear I am ready to negotiate. His eyes travel down my throat and then away again fast, he turns his head and clears his throat. I glance down and realize my robe has opened enough to give more than a little cleavage then hurry to do it back up. Catching his frown, the way he averts his eyes and sighs heavily. A little trickle of warmth runs through me that maybe I’m affecting him differently too, that this weird, new appraisal of how he looks, how attractive he is to me, isn’t a one-way thing.

“I’m back in your life. The stuff with us gets put on hold for a while and we ignore it, it’s not our priority. I find you an apartment, we enroll you in school for the new semester, and in the meantime, you stay here where I can keep an eye on you and keep you out of trouble. If you want to stay in the city while things get sorted, then you’re staying with me. You keep your family involved and you tell them everything. You go home after we see Jake and talk to them, with me, to explain all of this and take whatever drama comes your way with no attitude or skipping town in reaction. Own your mistakes, face up to this like the grown-up you claim you are.... Lastly, no partying, no going out with assholes and putting yourself in crazy situations anymore, Sophs. You want to prove you’re capable of doing this then you keep your head down and focus on school and getting things sorted. If you want to go out, then I go too. You come with me and my friends if you need to let off steam, and you listen to me when I say enough is enough.” He’s deadly serious. Sounding a little control freak a la Jake, but I understand his reasons. Understand why he sees this is how it has to be done, not just for my sake, or his, but for my family.

hold her down. He is thinking about everyone,

Say I agree to all the above? .... What about Natasha? She stays here most of the time. Do you really think I can sleep through here, with you two through there, doing ...?” I falter, knowing that this is the best offer I’m going to get, but still. I don’t want to

I don’t know what’s going to happen with her. Nothing while you’re here. I’m not that much of an asshole. Nothing will happen either way while we are under the same roof, and I’m responsible for you.” Loud

you give her for the breakup?” I chew on my lip, insides clenching with anxiety, watching the blank expression on his face as he goes back to reaching for his mug and toying with it. Curious as to what she thinks is happening with them; she seemed so

telling her that my feelings are maybe invested elsewhere. It would have killed her.” He looks pained, guilt crossing his face and I at least have the good grace to feel the same. As much as I hate the other girl, I can’t help but feel something for her. I know she loves him to death; worships the ground he walks on and she really thought he was her forever. I can’t

I open my mouth to let some