Eli

Seven

CHANCE

Today was the day of my party and I had people in and out all morning setting up. I was looking forward to tonight for a few reasons and one of those was Eli. I was looking forward to seeing her tonight and I knew for a fact she was showing up because I talked to Tiffany and she gave me her word. Tiffany gave me her personal stamp of approval when I ran into her a few days back at Luke's spot.

**FLASHBACK TO CONVERSATION WITH MATT AND TIFFANY EARLIER IN THE WEEK**

"I hope you two are coming to my party?"

"We'll be there," Matt confirmed as Tiffany set down in his lap.

"Eli is coming to," Tiffany smiled.

"You serious," Matt looked just as surprised as I felt.

"She wasn't but this one," Tiffany pointed at me, "Convinced her otherwise."

I had been blowing her phone up every day asking her if she was coming usually to only be met with no return texts and sometimes she left me on read. I kept it up and a few days ago she called me and cussed me out and told me she would be at the party and hung up on my ass.

Matt then grilled me, "Whatever you think is going to happen cut it out. Eli ain't no challenge and ain't like other chicks. She's my sister, blood couldn't even make us closer so if you hurt her or if you thinking about doing some stupid shit....don't. Because nephew or not if you hurt Eli Trell won't be able to save your ass."

He got up and headed towards the back of the house with the boys and left me alone with Tiffany. I heard him loud and clear and knew where he was coming from. Eli had a lot of people who had her back. They knew her, loved her and knew why she was the way she was and I was trying to become one of those people.

"So," Tiffany crossed her arms, "What are your intentions with my girl?"

It was funny the way she was coming at me but I understood she was just looking out for her friend.

"I have the best intentions when it comes to Eli but for now it's just business."

"Oh really," she looked like she didn't believe me.

This was her best friend so I figure she was a good person as any to let my true intentions be known.

"I mean I wouldn't mind getting to know her better on a personal level."

"So...the way she acts and dresses doesn't bother because I'm going to keep it real with you. She's been through a lot of shit in her life. I don't know if you've noticed but a lot of these nigga's aren't man enough to handle a chick like Eli. She may be a tomboy but that doesn't mean she wants to be treated like one of the guys."

I took note of that and it made sense. If was going to get through to her and wanted her to open up to me then maybe I needed to open up to her. Show her that I didn't see her any different from any other woman.

"She doesn't have to act like that around me. I want her to trust me. I would never take advantage or hurt her in any way. Plus if I'm being honest I think she's beautiful, baggy clothes, short hair, smart mouth and all."

She stared at me for a long time before smiling, "You have your work cut out for you. My advice is to be patient and don't push her so good luck. If you hurt her you'll have to deal with Matt, me and the rest of the boys. Hell you don't want to know what she did to the last nigga that broke her heart."