Page 6 of Fast Lane

Roscoe’s perfectly straight, white teeth sink into his bottom lip—fighting back his laughter. “Whatever you say, doll face. What are you doing here anyways? I’m pretty sure skydiving is not on your bucket list.”

Scoffing, I shake my head. “Definitely not. I’m here because Bowie called Jaxx who called me about making some extra cash.”

“You agreed to work with me for the day?” I hear the surprise in his voice.

I sigh. “Yeah, I didn’t know it was for you but I’m sure you know my situation and I could use the extra cash so here I am. Beggars can’t exactly be choosers.”

“Kosi Scott, you are a lot of things but a beggar is not one of them, but I do need help around here today.”

My head bobs in agreement. “Point me in the right direction, tell me what you need and I’ll get it done.”

Roscoe studies me for a moment before nodding his head. It looks like we're both going to accept this newfound fate of ours. “Follow me.” I follow behind Roscoe as he leads me to behind the counter. I take in the surroundings but it’s all bad. Orange shag carpet, wood paneling on the walls, cracked and yellowed tile, and a stale, musty smell. The lighting is even dim and yellowed. When we get around the counter I see an old fashioned landline phone, tan with tall yellowed buttons. No computer sits on the counter but there is a large desk calendar as well as a date book lying there. “So why were you humming Time Warp?” Now it’s my turn to bite my bottom lip to keep something mean from slipping off my tongue. Roscoe has the tendency of making me do that. Then again I’ve never been very good at keeping my opinion to myself anyways. My silence causes him to turn around. One look at my face has one of his hands coming up to scratch the scruff on his jaw. “Just say it.”

“What?” Caught off guard by his comment.

He shakes his head causing a few strands of hair to fall over his forehead. Normally, Roscoe wears a rolled bandana tied around his head but it’s missing today. “You’ve got this look.”

“What look?”

His deep chuckle fills the quiet of the room. “That signature I have something to say but I don’t want to say it look.”

Shaking my head I deny his comment. “I don’t have a look like that.”

“Oh you do. I didn’t think you did, because for as long as I’ve known you I’ve never known you as someone to hold back on what they think, but it’s definitely there right now so you might as well say it.”

“You don’t know me that well.”

That smirk appears again and instantly my skin rolls with irritation. “Oh but I do. You’re easy to read.”

My eyes roll. “Whatever. This place is a damn time warp. It’s like stepping back into the Brady Bunch or something. Would it kill you to update this place?”

“That bad?” he asks with a chuckle.

I think my eyes nearly fall out of my head. “I’m surprised people walk in here and somehow still manage to trust that the airplanes they will be jumping out of aren’t ancient or going to fall out of the sky.”

Now he looks offended. “The planes are new and completely kept up.”

“Maybe, but this is the first thing your customers see. This is the original selling point. From a marketing standpoint it’s just bad.”

Roscoe pinches the bridge of his nose. “I’m not saying you’re wrong, but the owner doesn’t want to spend money on this part of the business. He thinks the planes and the jumping gear are the most important parts.”

I nod my head in understanding. “He’s not wrong. Those are the most important parts because they have to do with safety but given that he focuses so much on keeping those things up to par, it’s a shame that the first impression is this.” I motion towards the room around us. “I mean you don’t even have a new phone or a computer.”

“Let me show you what you’ll be doing today,” he says as he turns towards the desk. Roscoe’s entire demeanor has changed and I almost feel bad for what I said but it’s also true. He explains how to answer the phone and make appointments and shows me the schedule for classes and whatnot. I take a seat in the squeaky, metal chair and stare at the calendar as he leaves. He opens the door but then stops and turns towards me. “Thank you for coming on such short notice,” he tells me before disappearing. I don’t even have time to reply before the door shuts. Once again, my mouth falls open because Roscoe has never said thank you to me before. I guess there’s a first time for everything.

Six

Roscoe

The day went by faster than I thought. After Kosi came in to watch the desk area, I was able to get back out to the airplanes and the training center to get set up for the people coming in today. I love days like this. There’s nothing like watching people get ready to face a fear or the joy on their faces as they look forward to their first jump. I love being a part of this journey. After working at Free Fall, I totally understand why teachers love what they do.

Once the people for the class arrive, I get to work. It goes well and pretty smoothly. Since this was the first of eight classes there was no jumping today but it’s the first step towards that. My stomach growls and I decide to go order some food. “Wyatt,” I call out. He appears from under one of the airplanes. “I’m going to head up to the main office and order us some food. Any requests?”

He laughs and shakes his head. “Nope, you know me. As long as it’s edible I’ll eat it.”

“Sounds good,’ I reply with a chuckle. I head across the field towards the main building of Free Fall. When I enter I’m shocked to hear music playing lightly. As I head towards the main part of the building I’m shocked to see Kosi, out of her seat, cleaning the windows and glass front door as she dances along to Fall Out Boy. For a moment I just stand back and watch her. She’s pulled her hair down and I watch as the lights above make her hair glisten. Kosi shakes her hips, using the spray bottle in her hands as a microphone every now and then. I bite back the laughter that threatens to interrupt her.

Kosi Scott is a lot of things. Gorgeous is on the top of that list followed by freaking smart as hell. I’ve never seen her like this though. While Kosi has always been sarcastic, which I normally chalk up to her high intelligence, I never imagined she could have so much fun. Kosi and fun just don’t seem like they go in the same sentence. She’s always been so laser focused on whatever her plan or goal was that letting loose and having fun just never seemed like something she would be into. I’m shocked to see her with her hair down, so-to-speak. It’s a fantastic look on her and one I wish she’d do more often. She spins around, noticing me for the first time. Suddenly, she yelps, drops the spray bottle which busts as it hits the floor, causing Kosi to jump back before the liquid gets on her Vans. “What the hell, Roscoe?” An annoyed look crosses her face. I do laugh out loud this time.

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