The Carrero Heart - Beginning (Friends to Lovers)

He effortlessly moves to in fighter pose, arms in tight, light on his toes and head tucked. For someone who specializes in mixed combat, Arrick has the stance of a boxer down to a fine art. He almost dances on his feet as instinct kicks in and he goes all into trained mode, flexing his shoulders and grinning like a cheeky, cocky ass, who has as undefeated record.

Jake lifts his hands in defense, just as good at this, and just as cocky, being sometimes his brothers’ sparring partner at the gym. He takes a swipe with a flat hand at Arrick’s head, but he ducks, weaves, and lands another mock blow on Jake’s shoulder this time. Too fast and focused for even big brother Jacob. Jake grabs his wrist and attempts to yank him into a headlock, unsuccessfully, both too equally matched in this, and go trundling out away from us, while still hitting each other on the fly.

Emma and I watch them leave, pushing and shoving like kids, shaking our heads, and smiling as they get out of the room. Jake grabs a gym bag from the hall which obviously holds formal clothes for playing basketball. Arrick throws me back a half smile, a look of support, that soft one I can never resist that makes his eyebrows crazily straight, and then he’s gone. Both leave us to have some space, and I must admit, with them gone, it’s like I can just breathe a little bit more. I know what Emma is going to say, I can tell by the look that’s been on her face since she saw me with Arrick.

“What’s happening with you two then?” She smiles softly and I have to curb the ‘there it is’ moment that goes off inside me. Straightening to face her, I know this is going to happen, whether I want to talk about it or not.

“Nothing.” I sigh heavily, not sure that there is anything more to say than that. Knowing I can sit and tell her about his grand speech about feelings, but something tells me she probably already knows all of it. Judging by the way she’s looking at me, I can almost guarantee that Arrick, or at least Jake, has told her he doesn’t know how he feels.

“Nothing? He’s here with you. Last time I saw you, he was most definitely someone you were cutting out of your life.” Emma raises her brows, and I can tell by the little knowing smirk she has known a while longer than I give her credit for. She probably knows a lot more than I do.

“You knew he was confused about all of this?” I ask pointedly. Watching her this time and wondering why she hasn’t told me before now, why she’s sat on this in the past weeks of me trying to move on, but then, knowing her and how her mind works, I can see why she let him tell me himself.

to Jake about everything, and he has talked to me a little about it too. He’s really confused, got a lot going on in that crazily complex head of his. I used to think Jake was hard work, Arrick is so much more of an over-thinker than he ever was.” Emma smiles affectionately, obvious adoration for her brother-in-law, and I know they have a good bond. A sibling bond of sorts, and that Arrick confides in Emma when

he say?” I raise questioning brows her way, so glad that I have someone else I can talk to about this, someone who can help me figure out how to play this, someone with Arrick’s insight, who knows him well. So far, Arry has given me nothing to work with, other than it’s to be left alone until I get sorted in school, which feels like delaying

no clue how to navigate it. His head’s a complete war zone of conflicting thoughts concerning you, your relationship, and his relationship with Natasha. When he couldn’t see you, he called Jake daily to check in and ask how you were getting on. He cares, Sophie, more than the average guy friend would, and I think he’s realize that.” Emma watches me, and then a small flicker of something runs across her face and she inhales a little sharply. Her hand going to the bump for a moment and she visibly holds her breath. Such a sudden gesture that catches me off guard, considering my head was on Arrick and now it is most definitely all on her. My inner panic alarm goes into

need to get Jake?” I’m already reaching for my bag to get my cell, but she stops me with a wave, a

overdoing it. I’m fine. It’s nothing. Happens all the time.” She smooths over her bump again and takes a long steady

a few seconds and see that she seems absolutely fine, no hint of hiding anything and the rush of nerves cool a little in my bloodstream. I relax back into my chair, still eyeing the bump, but I am pretty sure she knows her own body. It’s not like this is her first rodeo; she’s getting to be a

you want me to go and let you rest? Come back tomorrow?” I ask her, but her immediate headshake has me

am fine, really; still got two weeks to go yet, and neither of the previous two was early. They both took their time and casually sauntered in after the due date. Jake’s children through and

kids and I want to know how you’re doing, how this whole Arrick thing is affecting you.” Her normal Emma face is focused back on me, and I let out

making a dramatic face, brushing aside my concerns