bodhinori-blog

[bodhinori-blog]

Strangers.

“Mom, can I have a juice box?” Andres asked, walking carefully over to Nori. “Yeah, can I have one, too?” Cristian asked, following his older brother. “Of course, come on boys.” The trio stepped into the air conditioned room just through the door in the car garage her brother and the father of her child had been working on Alejandro's newest car. While she cared for both small boys, keeping them out of harms way but making sure they could see their dad just like they asked, the two most important men in her life gathered around her brother's tool box along with the newest member to the car club, Felix.

“Yo, that girl with the kids is hella fine.” The dark haired man said, nudging Alejandro's side. He shook his head, not even trying to claim her as his sister. He wanted to push Felix's buttons, see if he was even aware of who he was talking to. Everyone knew it was an unwritten rule among them to never speak ill of Nori. That was an automatic ass whoopin' from both Alejandro – her brother, and Enrique – the father of her child. While Dro remained quiet, Enrique engaged in the conversation. Apparantly, Felix had no clue that the two little boys that trailed behind her belonged to Enrique. “Ain't she, though?” He wiped his hands clean with a towel before draping it over his shoulder. “Yeah, man. I can see why she got two kids. I'd be in that CONSTANTLY.” The turn the conversation took irked Dro and Enrique, yet they both knew to play it cool for a little while longer.

Nori rarely ever paid attention to her outfits when she showed up to the garage. She never cared to impress anyone there. Last time she did, she got knocked up. She wasn't about to go through that again. In just a plain gray t-shirt and a pair of jeans, she didn't expect to impress anyone. Yet here Felix was, going on and on about her to the two men who hated hearing it the most. “Bro, she's so hot. Like who could ever be dumb enough to leave her?” Dro snorted, laughter following after as he glanced at Enrique who did exactly that. “Yeah, right? Who could ever leave her. It's a damn shame. She's pretty great when you really get to know her.” He spoke genuinely about his sister as he glanced between the tools he needed and the kid they had so warily let into their club. “Who cares about personality? I'd just keep her around because she's nice to look at.”

Enrique chimed in before Alejandro could get angry and kill the kid with his sister and nephews not even 15 feet away from him. “Yeah, she a real dime piece that Nori. Always hangs around here, sometimes rides. Beat guys out of their money. It's a satisfying feeling knowing these dudes go home feeling hella defeated because they lost to a girl.” Enrique droned on. “Yeah, I bet that sucks. But she's hot, I'd let her win. Just gives me all the more reason to go back and talk to her, ask for a rematch and then slide in them DMs, ya feel?” Enrique laughed as both kids ran up to the small group that had formed. “Dad, can I go home with Nori and Dre?” Cristian asked as his father lifted him into his arms. Andres remained quiet, not giving away the fact that Cris was his little brother. Instead he ran up to his uncle. “Tio! Tio! Can I ride in the new car when you finish working on it? It's so cool!” Alejandro had a smug look on his face as he looked at Felix knowing good and well the connection finally clicked in his mind.

“Of course, bud. You can go with your brother. Just as long as Nori says it's okay.” Enrique grinned, knowing Felix was regretting even acknowledging who he thought was a stranger and a hang around for the club. “Go 'head, boys. Dad's gotta finish Tio's car. Faster we finish, faster you can go for a ride and see how cool it is.” Both males put the kids down, letting them run back to Nori. “So, you still wanna slide in them DMS?” Alejandro asked, stepping in front of Felix, his arm crossed in front of him. “Hey man, I didn't know she was your sister. I never would have said that stuff if I did.” He tried to defend himself for judging her based on her looks alone instead of her as a person. “You tryna ruin a happy home, cuh?” Enrique's whole attitude changed as he looked at the kid who looked like he was ready to cry. “Happy home? Shit. That's y- y- yo- your girl?” He shoved him back and got in his face. “Yeah that's my girl and our kids. The fuck you tryna do?”

Hearing the altercation, Nori looked up and saw the fight unfolding. “Boys, go inside. Go watch TV in Tio's office.” She watched them go through the doors and knew they did just as they were told. She jogged over to the group, trying to pry the younger kid from the other two. “Hey! Relax! What is going on?” She said over them, trying to take control of the situation. “DRO, ENRIQUE. ENOUGH.” She shoved both of them. “Explain to me why I should let you kill him?” Her brow was perked, awaiting an explanation. “Cono, I gotta treat you like I treat the kids. Speak. One of you.” Even when he was in trouble, Felix couldn't help but admire her the way he had been before. This time, he wasn't vocal about said thoughts. “This kid, sitting here talkin' bout you like you're a slab of meat or some shit. Like he don't know.” Enrique spoke up. “Aye, calmate. Relax.” She sighed. “If you kill him, you're gonna have to kill just about every other guy I encounter. Whatever he said, I'm sure it's nothing compared to what people have said to my face.” She crossed her arms in front of her, shaking her head. “Stop being babies and get your asses to work.”

Pushing both of them away, she turned on her heels, facing the stranger she hadn't met before 5 seconds ago. “Listen, if I hear you talking or even thinking about me again, ESPECIALLY to my brother and the father of my child, I will personally kill you with my bare hands. Got it?” Her brow arched once more, pushing his shoulder. “Y-y-yes.” The stranger muttered both scared and mildly turned on.