King of Queens (a Nas Story)

FORTY ONE

Nasir | 3:56pm

Two years had gone by quicker than I thought. I was staring at my son as he ran around the skating rink. Chuck E. Cheese was all booked for birthday party packages, so United Skates of America in Queens was the place Gia and I settled on.

Pizza slices were passed around amongst our family and friends as Gia's mom skated around the rink under the disco light to 'Silent Morning' by Noel. Jungle grabbed his shorty and held her hand as they made their way inside the rink.

Gia rolled past me on her roller skates with an airbrushed shirt with a portrait of Destined on the front that tied around her back, exposing her midriff. Her gold wrist watch shined under the lights as she stopped in front of me.

"You skating or what, kid?" She asked me as she sipped from the styrofoam cup she held firmly inside of her hand.

"Yeah. In a minute." I said as I looked her up and down. She still looks good as fuck. Especially with those jeans on.

"Chyna, watch Destined for me!" She yelled as she sat her drink down on the ledge of the rink and began to skate inside the rink. I tied the laces of my rental skates tightly before I made my way behind her.

We hadn't had a conversation that wasn't surface level since her birthday and things were awkward between us. Well, on my end at least. I wanted her back but I know she's still hurt over the shit I've done. I don't know how to get her back. But or now, I wanted to play shit cool for the sake of our son's birthday.

My matching "Destined" chain swayed side to side over my Karl Kani sweater as I picked up the speed on my wheels to catch up to Gia. She sang along to the song that we were all skating to.

"Silent Morning!

I wake up and you are not by my side

Silent Morning!

You know how hard I try!"

She mouthed along with the singer Noel as she swayed her hips as her wheels kept moving along the polished wood. I couldn't lie, the song was resonating with me a little too much for a nigga's liking.

I snuck up behind her and held her waist for a few second as I skated behind her before letting her waist go.

"Nice of you to join me!" She yelled over the echoed bass of the track. She smiled a bit before she took off full speed ahead, leaving me behind once again. I kissed my teeth at her. She turned backwards, still skating forward against her natural gravity.

She motioned her finger to tell me to pick up the speed before turning her body in the same direction she was skating in. I accepted her challenge.

I rolled past Jungle and Sheyenne, Saun's little sister. They were rolling hand in hand at a slower pace than Gia's mom. Ms. Helen brushed her hand over my shoulder as she skated past me.

"You better catch up, son!" She yelled as she rolled past, leaving the scent of her perfume behind her.

I felt the tension all the way from the opposite end of the rink as Gia glanced at me with those eyes. It was almost as if she was fucking with me.

"Come on." She mouthed to me before she lapped around me. I caught her hand as her speed caused me to match hers.

"Got you." I said over the music. I held her hand, locking her fingers with mine as we skated side by side.

Gia | 4:19pm

It felt awkward holding Nasir's hand. I wanted to let go so bad, but I didn't want my family to suspect anything. I was putting on an act in front of everyone.