“Yes, this is my song!” I rolled my eyes at my bestie Brittany as Sweet Yamz by Fetty Wap started to play, and she swayed on her skates next to me, throwing her braids into a top bun.

The flashing neon spotlights had me hypnotized for a moment as I watched the skaters take laps around the rink. It was adult skate night, so the vibes were fun and sensual, hence the playlist that my employee, Choyce had chosen for the night. It was so easy to sit here and get lost in the visuals, the glow in the dark moons and stars that shone on the carpet, the neon signs that displayed Moonlight’s name on the back walls, and the flashing colors of people’s outfits.

One woman had on a flowing dress that caught my eye as it fanned out behind her each time, she curved around the corner closest to the skate rental counter.The fervor of the crowd was something I desperately wanted to engage in tonight. I was never without my classic, black work skates on, ready to join the flow of energy of the rotation at any moment to feel what I felt most as I skated: freedom. The thought of the cool air as I whipped around the track, the loud music that pumped through me, and the feeling of floating on my feet is mostly what kept me here all these years.But my grandfather owned Moonlight for over 30 years until he passed a few years ago and turned it over to me. It was my sole mission and life to keep Moonlight’s doors open, if only to ensure that I had a place to call home and supply me with money to do the things that I loved, since my life seemed to carry no other purpose besides skating. I was college educated with a bachelor’s degree in business management, single, no kids, an only child, and my parents had moved to Florida, leaving me to run the business that they wanted nothing to do with. But when my grandfather passed and I found out, he left it solely to me, I was determined to keep my grandfather’s legacy alive even if I did it alone.

“It’s a good cover, but I swear I told Choyce to play the Masego version.”

“This one is just as good; don’t you dare make her switch it out. I’m bout to tell Dion I’m ready to go so he can put his hands on my yams.” I stared at her like she grew a second head.

“Don’t talk like that around me.” I gave her a light shove, causing her to wobble on her skates but she pushed out her arms and caught herself on the counter.

“See, I’m bout to leave yo ass back here by yourself.”

“Good, you not supposed to be back here anyway. Go skate with your man.”

“Naw, I’m for real ready to go; he keeps making me fall.”

“How? Both of y’all can skate.”

“He keeps coming up behind me, grabbing my waist, and then whispering nasty shit in my ear.” She leaned up against the counter, bit her lip, and pushed her lil booty out like she was replaying the memory in her head. I smacked my lips and checked my watch again, hoping that my employee, Vee, was making her way in sooner rather than later so I could ditch Britt and go handle some paperwork that I desperately needed to get done. She texted me earlier saying she was going to be late, and since she was only a sophomore in high school she relied on her parents for rides.

“Yeah, so it’s throwing me off and I keep falling. My booty hurts and I’m gone make sure he spends all night rubbing my yams and making good on all the shit he kept whispering to me.” I rolled my eyes hard.As if we summoned him, Dion skated past and made a kissy face at Britt. She cooed next to me, and a cheesy smile spread on her face. I was so happy for my girl. We had known each other since the first year of high school then she and Dion got together junior year when he asked her to Homecoming. They had been married for five years, and even though we were now in our early 30s, you would think these two were stuck in the seventeen-year-old bodies that they first met each other in by the way they acted. Their love was as fresh and vibrant as it was when they were leaving each other love notes in their lockers.

“Ma’am, please go be with your man and leave me alone.” I said chuckling. She turned to me, with a look on her face that said she was bout to say something stupid, but she was interrupted by a man walking up to the rental counter. A very fine, brown skinned man with a smile that had me reaching up to inconspicuously fluff my hair, which I was wearing out in my natural curls, and smooth down my jeans and Moonlight Skate polo. His white teeth stood out against his two-toned lips. The top lip matched his mocha-colored skin and the bottom was a deep, dusty rose color. His hair was styled in loose braids, which he had pulled back minus two that hung in the front of his face. I took in his tall frame, starting at his black crocs, complete with sunflower charms, the infamous gray sweatpants that left little to the imagination, a jean jacket with the sleeves half rolled up showing off his veiny, tattooed, moisturized arms, and under it a fitted black tee that read in bold yellow letters, I’m Still Grandma’s Favorite.

“Oooh, Jade, he is fine.” Britt said through her teeth as she pulled out her phone and pretended to busy herself while I helped him.“Mhm hmm.” I said, agreeing quietly. By the smirk that tipped one side up his lips even higher, we were not as slick as we thought.

I went into boss mode as he reached the counter and said, “Hi, can I help you?”

“You sure can. Can I get a size 13 skate, please?”

“My gahd, you know what they say about big feet…” Britt said, popping her head up towards the gentleman and then slowly turning to me.“Yes. Big skates.” I winked at her in a silent joke. We giggled like two schoolgirls.

“Britt, I think Dion just fell. You should go check on him.” She nodded slowly, catching on.

​

For the rest of the chapter...subscribe to my mailing list :)