Page 1 of Bern and Isley (D-Ville Projects #5)

Isley

“And what time are you planning on getting home?” Marshall frowned at me as I pulled my white tank over my head.

I exhaled deeply as I sprayed a cloud of my floral body mist. “It’s a party. I’m not going to be watching the time. I told you that you’re welcome to come with me.”

“Nah, I’m good.”

“Why not? Bern invited both of us. He wants to meet you; I’ve told him all about you.”

“I’m not in the fuckin’ party mood, Isley.”

I rolled my eyes at his funky attitude. “Cool. But don’t be blowing me up, asking when I’m leaving. It’s Bern’s homecoming celebration so I’m trying to have a good time.”

“Well, if you plan on getting in after midnight, you might as well just stay at your aunt’s.”

I shot daggers at him with my eyes. Marshall and I had been dating for just over a year.

Although I lived with my ailing aunt in Douglasville Projects, I spent a couple nights a week at his house in a quiet little neighborhood a few miles away.

Was this his way of trying to punish me for choosing to hang out with my friend instead of staying in the house with him?

If he wanted to be petty, two could play that game.

“That’s actually not a bad idea.” I forced a smile. “I’ll plan to stay there tonight. So I’ll just hit you up tomorrow.”

I avoided Marshall’s glare as I slid my freshly pedicured feet into my gold sandals.

I adjusted my clothes and admired my reflection in the floor-length mirror.

I was looking cute without doing too much.

Since the kickback was outside, I kept my outfit simple.

A white tank top with a pair of dark wash, distressed denim shorts that showed off my flawless mocha legs.

I finished my look with a gold stacked necklace and bracelets with coordinating hoop earrings.

Finally, I threw my fresh faux locs into a high ponytail and touched up my edges.

Marshall raised from the bed. Stepping toward me, he grabbed the hem of my shorts then roughly tugged them downward. “These shits too damn short. You got your ass hanging all out.”

“Please chill out.” He was overexaggerating. They were a little on the short side but my cheeks were fully covered. Besides they were a tad loose, so that helped make up for the length.

My phone vibrated on the dresser with a text from my best friend Snow letting me know she was outside. “I’m about to head out.”

Marshall grimaced as I grabbed his hand then tried to pull him into a hug. His husky stature didn’t budge. His six foot four frame towered over my five foot six inches.

“Oh, so you don’t want to give me a hug and kiss before I leave?

” I stared into his hazel eyes. His forehead was crinkled and his nostrils flared.

I moved closer and wrapped my arms around him.

He reluctantly offered me a church hug, leaving a sea of space between us.

I stood on my tippy toes to kiss his lips; he barely kissed me back.

I didn’t even trip about it though. I was in a happy mood and excited to see one of my best friends.

I was determined to not let my boyfriend’s grouchiness spoil my evening.

It was bad enough that he had me running an hour behind.

All because he wanted to have sex as soon as I was about to hop into the shower.

“Alright, I’m headed out. Talk to you later.” I grabbed my small crossbody bag then headed out. Marshall’s salty ass didn’t even tell me goodbye.

The heavy aroma of marijuana met us as we entered Bern’s mom’s backyard through the picket fence.

The party seemed to have started on time because it was full of people.

It made my heart happy knowing everyone had come out to celebrate my boy’s freedom.

Bern deserved all of the love and support after spending five years in the penitentiary.

There were several grills going and two extra-large coolers I was sure were filled with sodas, beer, and wine coolers.

A small side table was beside the cooler with a variety of liquor.

On the other side of the yard were three rows of tables covered in plastic tablecloths.

One table held a buffet of foods in foil pans and desserts.

A group of young people congregated to line dance to Luther Vandross’s “Bad Boy” near the amateur DJ setup.

As Snow and I made our way through the crowd of people, I spotted Bern’s Uncle Roy slamming a domino down on the table so hard that it rocked.

The table right next to that one had a Spades game going with plenty of shit talking.

I only saw a handful of kids and they were pretty much off in their own little corner playing with water guns.

“Hey, Isley,” Ms. Cynthia called out when she spotted me.

“Hey!” I grinned as I headed her way. Bern’s mom pulled me in for a comforting, warm hug then did the same with Snow.

“Claybern was wondering if you were going to show up.”

I pursed my lips. “He knows good and well that I was not going to miss being here for anything. Where is his big head at?”

She placed her hands on her hips then kissed her teeth. “I saw him and Unique sneak off to the bedroom.”

“I hope he wraps up. That girl been hopping from one penis to the next while he was locked up,” Snow blurted. “Dang, I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

“Hmph, you’re not telling me anything I don’t know. But you know he ain’t gon’ listen to me.”

I frowned at the thought of Bern and Unique getting it on in the middle of his party.

Snow was right. Unique had a reputation for getting around.

All it took was for a nigga to flash a few dollars at her and she was on go.

She and Bern had an off- and on-again type of relationship for several years.

They took turns being unfaithful. But I tried to stay out of his business.

If he wanted to be in a toxic relationship, that was on him.

If he liked it, I loved it. Besides, the man had been incarcerated for five years, of course he was trying to get his rocks off.

And why not choose someone he knew over a random.

I only hoped he was protecting himself. I didn’t want him to catch anything from her community cooch and he didn’t need to make any babies. At least not with her.

“Y’all go grab a plate and enjoy yourselves. I’m sure he won’t be in there too long. If you know what I mean.”

We giggled at Ms. Cynt’s shade. Snow and I made our way to the table with the food.

There was a variety of foods to choose from.

I decided on grilled chicken wings, pasta salad, and mixed fruit.

Snow and I found two empty chairs to sit and enjoy our food.

Although the sun was beginning to set, it was still pretty hot and humid.

But thankfully Ms. Cynthia had several large, industrial-sized fans blowing.

They helped keep everyone from overheating.

A deep voice came from behind me. “Hey, stranger.”

A huge smile spread across my face as I stood to face my best friend. He drew me into a great bear hug. I buried my face into his chest as I choked back a sob. “I missed you so much, Bernie.”

“I missed you more, Icey.”

I relished in the strength of his embrace. It brought me a sense of peace and comfort I’d lacked over the last five years. One thousand eight hundred and twenty-six days. It felt like a lifetime.

“Well, hello, Mr. Claybern Jones,” Snow interrupted.

Bern and I laughed as we broke our hold. “What’s up, Snow?” He reached out and gave her a side hug as I took a step back. I wiped my misty eyes as I stared at my friend. He was really free.

“Welcome home,” Snow smiled.

“Thank you, thank you. I’m damn sure glad to be home.”

“And we’re happy to have you out,” I added.

I gazed at him. For the most part, he still looked the same.

Tall, dark, and handsome. Bern was six foot two with medium brown skin.

I noticed he’d gained several pounds of muscle.

His pecs seem extra defined under the white tank that he had on.

And those biceps were also very pronounced. My boy clearly didn’t skip gym days.

“You growing your hair out?” I asked, admiring his jet-black curly hair that had grown into a mini afro.

He picked at his curls. “Yeah, I wanted to try something different… thinking about locs.”

I nodded as I imagined him as a dread head. As handsome as he was, he could rock anything. Well, anything but a mohawk. I hated those with a passion.

“I was hoping you could hook me up.” He grinned, displaying his perfect smile.

I put my finger to my lip as if I had to think about it. “I guess I can fit you in.”

I had recently started braiding hair in the last couple years after being laid off from my management position at a call center. I also offered loc installations and retwists.

“Don’t piss me off.” He chuckled, placed his arm around my shoulder, and squeezed me close to him, making his head touch mine. “You want me to look presentable for my job interview, don’t you?”

“You have an interview already? That’s what’s up!”

“Yep. My boy Theo is a manager at a food distribution center across town. He put in a word for your boy.”

“That’s good, Bernie.” I patted his chest with the back of my hand.

“I can’t believe after twenty years you still call me that stupid name,” he fussed.

I shot him a side eye. “And who gon’ check me?”

“Alright, don’t get fucked up,” he warned. His eyes bored into me. I suddenly felt shy under his gaze.