Page 29 of Bern and Isley
“Well next time don’t be cheap and pay for delivery, nigga.”
“Nah… I wasn’t paying four hundred dollars for them to drive fifteen miles to deliver my stuff.”
Antwan smirked. “Cheap ass.”
“Here, nigga.” I went into my pocket for my wallet.
“Nigga, we fuckin’ with you.” Theo waved me off. “But on the real, I’m happy to see you got your own place and whatnot. Glad to see you get out of the pen and make some shit shake.”
“Man, I appreciate that. The system ain’t made for us. I can see how people end up back in the joint.”
If I didn’t have money put back to purchase my carwash, I didn’t know what I would’ve done for money. Even with apersonal referral, I couldn’t land a nine to five. I was glad that I wasn’t the type to spend every dime I came in contact with. Although the money wasn’t earned legally, I was able to turn it into a legit business. And the profits were steadily rolling in.
“Isley been over here yet?” Antwan asked as he threw his bottle into the trash can.
“Naw, not yet,” I answered. I already knew the direction the niggas were about to take the conversation. “I just got the keys yesterday, but I’m sure she’s going to come over to let me know what she thinks.”
Theo raised his brow. “I mean she lives here in the same building. What’s the hold up?”
“Nigga, that’s even more reason for her not to be in a rush. We in the same building, I’ll see her when I see her. Why you worried about it?”
He raised his arms. “I’m just asking. Damn.”
“She has a lot going on right now. I’m just trying to be there for her when she needs me but still giving her space.”
“So, it’s true that she’s pregnant?” Antwan asked.
My brows knitted together. “Where did you hear that?”
“Word is she was seen vomiting in the parking lot one day. I guess people just assumed she’s pregnant.”
Damn, I didn’t know people knew. Or at least thought they knew. It still made my stomach do flips thinking about her growing a baby in her belly. Now that people were finding out her secret, it made the situation even more real.
Before I could downplay the rumor, there was a knock at the door. Theo walked over and opened the door.
“Speak of the devil,” he said as Isley and Snow entered the unit.
“Are y’all working hard or hardly working?” Isley asked as she waltzed in carrying a pizza box.
“Hey, you,” I greeted her. “What’s up, Snow?”
“Hey, hey,” Snow replied as she looked around. “I like the upgrades in here… fancy.”
“I figured I’d bring y’all something to put on your bellies after all of that strenuous labor.” She laughed as she placed the food on the counter. She wore a yellow halter dress that fell just below her hips and hugged every inch of her curves. Her nipples were erect and very visible through the thin fabric. My jaw clenched because I noticed both Theo and Antwan were checking Isley out. I knew they were doing it to get a rise out of me. They knew she was off limits despite my failure to lock Isley down.
Theo and Antwan didn’t hesitate grabbing a slice of pizza. Seeing that I hadn’t bought any dishes yet, I was glad Isley came prepared with paper plates and utensils. I hadn’t even thought about food, but once the aroma saturated the air, my stomach began begging for a piece. I washed my hands then smashed a couple of slices.
“I just wanted to congratulate you on your new place, but I need to get back to my man,” Snow said as she made her way to the door.
“I appreciate that.”
“I’ll call you later, Isley,” she said before leaving.
“We gon’ get out of here too,” Antwan announced as he disposed of his trash.
“Okay, cool. I appreciate y’all helping me.” I dapped each of them up before they bounced.
“Do you need any help with cleaning?” Isley asked.
