The Warrior by Erin Trejo Read Free Book Online Page B

Bradon
comes out and gets in and looks back at Nina and over at me.
    “We taking an extra?” He says looking a
little worried. I look back at Nina who is crying again and then
back to Bradon.
    “Looks like we are.” I say as he nods and
starts the truck. We drive for over an hour until I ask Bra to stop
at a gas station. I hop out and extend my hand to Nina which she
takes as I lead her into the bathroom.
    “You want to tell me what happened?” I say in
as soft of voice as I can.
    “He said he knew I was cheating on him and I
wouldn’t tell him with who.” She says as I wet paper towels and
wipe her face. She flinches when I wipe certain spots.
    “Why didn’t you just tell him?” I say as she
looks up at me with her swollen eye.
    “Why would I? It’s not like me and him were
anything. I was just trying to find my sister.” She says as I keep
wiping.
    “Is that all I was too?” I ask as she pulls
back.
    “I don’t know what you are. I have never felt
like I do when I'm with you but you are still one of them.” She
says looking down. I reach over and grab her face making her look
at me.
    “That’s all I know Nina. I feel things with
you too that I didn’t think I was capable of. You think I want to
fucking live like this? I don’t fucking want this!” I snap at her
as I let go and turn and put my hands against the wall. I don’t
know what the fuck to do. I lean my head against the wall when I
feel hands on my back. I flinch a little but I let her.
    “You’re the only person I have let touch me.”
I say without moving. I feel Nina’s hands run around my waist as
she slides herself under my arms. Her face is just a few inches
from mine.
    “I'm glad.” She says as I lean in the rest of
the way and kiss her.
    “I'm nothing Nina.” I say against her
mouth.
    “You are everything.” She says back to me as
I look in her eyes.
    “I'm not. I'm a warrior and that’s all I know
how to be. I can’t be anything else. I don’t know how.” I say as
she runs lips over mine. I grab her around the waist and pull her
closer to me.
    “You’re my warrior.” She says and I kiss her
again. I hold her there for a few minutes until I hear Bradon
knocking.
    “I don’t share Nina. It’s not something I
do.” I say as I hug her to me.
    “You won’t have to.” She says as I grab her
and pull her along with me as we head back to the truck.
    ***
    “This it?” I ask as we pull up to a small
apartment building.
    “Yea. This is it man.” Bradon says as we get
out. I grab Nina and pull her up next to me.
    “Why do you look so nervous?” I ask him
smiling. “You scared to let me meet my nephew?” I say as I laugh.
Bradon’s eyes lock onto mine and he looks mad.
    “Don’t you ever say that Cadence. You are the
only family I have besides them.” Bradon snaps and until now I
didn’t realize just how much he hated our dad.
    “Bra. it’s ok man. I know.” I say as I let go
of Nina and pull my little brother into a hug.
    “Let’s go meet my nephew.” I say with a huge
smile as I follow a smiling Bradon up towards the door.
    Bradon knocks on the door and a pretty little
girl opens it holding a little boy that looks just like my brother.
Josie’s eyes look me over and then to Bradon as he nods and smiles.
She knows who I am. We grew up playing together. Well fighting
together.
    “Cadence. I never thought I’d see you again.”
She says in a soft voice as she passes the little boy to my
brother.
    “Never thought I’d be around to be seen
again.” I say as she smiles over at me.
    “This is a friend of mine, Nina.” I say as
she extends her hand. The girls talk a little as Bradon walks away
from the door and I follow.
    “This is your nephew Josh. Josh can you say
hi to your uncle Cad.” He says to the smiling little boy. The
little guy smiles up at me and I swear my heart fucking beats. I
mean like I really fucking feel it. I reach over and take the
little guy from my brother and walk around