Chapter Eleven
AN: Sorry this chapter is short, but hopefully you like it. To everyone that's bummed that Veronica thinks the kiss was a one time thing just hang in there she's a good detective, but terrible with her own feelings. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
I took my winnings from the poker game, and went to the jewelry shop with Felix. The shop keeper automatically looked at us with suspicion. "Can I help you boys?" The old woman behind the counter asked.
"I want that necklace in the window." I said. I fit her personality perfectly. It had a large sapphire with light blue diamonds surrounding it.
"Sir, we have more affordable options over here."
"I want the necklace in the window please." I said through clinched jaws. I glanced at Felix who was absentmindedly eyeing engagement rings.
"It's a $4,000 piece." She said sure of herself that I couldn't afford it.
I pulled out the wad of cash. "This should cover it."
She counted carefully and put the money in the safe before getting the necklace and putting it in a velvet box. "Here you go sir."
"Eli!" I called across the parking lot of school. This was the last day before break and I was excited to spend time with him.
"Hey cupcake." He said with a genuine smile and a twinkle in his eye.
"Lynn told me to invite you to our family Christmas celebration."
"That sounds…"he hesitated "Fun."
"Please." I said pushing out my bottom lip.
"How can I say no?" He said wrapping his arms around my waist.
"You're the best." I said smiling into his chest.
I was nervous to go to my first private Echolls family function. I put the necklace into a gift bag. My grandma walked into my room. "Abuela how do I look?"
"You look nice mijo. Have fun." She gave me a hug. I drove over to Emiy's house. Aaron answered the door.
"Hello Eli." He said seriously.
"Hi Mr. Echolls." I said politely.
"Eli!" Emily yelled and rushed passed her father and gave me a hug.
"Hey cupcake." I said returning the hug.
"Is that my present?" She asked excitedly.
"Yes." I said. We walked into the back yard where the patio table was set with Christmas dinner. I nodded at Logan.
"Weevil's here now the party can begin." He said gallantly.
"Logan behave." Lynn said. We ate dinner and had polite conversation. "Let's open presents" Lynn said after everyone was finished. We moved into the living room. Emily's parents had given her a purse, which she seemed mildly excited about, Logan had given her a bottle of her favorite whiskey. "Logan I wish you wouldn't give away alcohol as a gift. It's tacky." Lynn said.
"It's expensive whiskey." He said nonchalantly.
"Eli I want you to open mine next." She said excitedly. She handed me a single envelope with a message written on the front. Merry Christmas. Love, Emily. I opened the inside and pulled out four tickets to Dime Bag's concert in L.A. "The backstage passes will be waiting for us when we get there."
"How did you? Thanks Em." I said shocked. I was really excited, and happy she gave me a gift that wasn't too extravagant. "Here open this one next."
She grabbed the bag from me and lifted the box from inside. Her face softened. "Eli," was all she could say when she opened velvet box.
"Eli it's beautiful." Lynn said obviously impressed. Just then there was a violent pounding on the door. "Logan can you see who that is?" Lynn asked still cooing with Emily over the necklace. It made me feel good that she liked the necklace so much, and it looked perfect on her neck.
All of a sudden there was shouting from the foyer. "WHERE IS SHE?" a voice that I didn't recognize.
"You need to leave! "Logan shouted back. Aaron and I bolted up at the same time. I deduced who the uninvited guest was by the look on Emily's face. When we got there a tall white guy was fighting with Logan, and Logan was losing.
"I told you to never show your face here again." Aaron said a voice so full of hate I barely recognized him.
"Who is that?" he asked looking straight at me.
"Your replacement." I said unafraid. I wasn't going to let this white boy push me around. He lumbered towards me. I readied myself for him. "I wouldn't do that gringo."
"I'm not afraid of you cholo."
"You should be." Aaron stepped between us. I had never seen a man with that much rage. He started beating this guy senseless with anything that he could get his hands on. The guy fell to the ground, and Aaron started kicking him. Blood was running down his face and he was already starting to turn black and blue. "Take the trash out Logan." He said as he was finished.
"I'll call the boys to take care of this. " I said to Logan. I called Felix and he was at the Echolls's house in ten minutes with my tio's car. "Take care of him. Don't kill him. They'll ask too many questions." I said coldly.
"No worries Weevs we needed something to do tonight." Felix smiled as he heaved the barely conscious body of my girlfriend's ex into his trunk. Hector hopped out of the passenger seat, and grabbed the car keys out of the guy's pocket.
"Should we crush it or part it out." Hector asked and pointed to the Hummer parked in the driveway.
"Let tio decide. I have stuff to do." I turned and walked back into the house to see if Emily was ok. I made a note to call V and ask why I didn't know he was out.