Chapter 13 Colson
thirteen
Colson
“This may be a dumb question, but does the phrase cherry pit mean anything to you? Other than the literal?” I ask Sadie as the last kid gets picked up from camp.
I’ve been helping out over the last few days, and somehow we’ve fallen into this easy rhythm—moving around each other, working together, trading jabs that feel way too natural.
I’ve put my mom’s list on the fridge–the things I want to try and get to. The first thing on there is cherry pit and I still don’t know what that even means. I wouldn’t say I’m off to the strongest start but it’s better than nothing.
We’re walking back into the gym to close up when she responds, “Cherry Pit. It’s a place. Have you not been there yet?”
“Considering I just asked you what it was, how could I have been there?” I poke, mostly to see that little eye roll she does.
“It’s a Golden Harbor staple,” she explains. “Every Thursday during the summer, they have these contests… like who can make the best thing. Whatever it is that week. Think cherry jams, cookies, juice, salsa—”
“You did not say cherry salsa. That sounds like a hell no from me.” My brows pull together and I definitely judge.
She stops walking and shakes her head at me. “Do not knock it until you try it. Salsa is one of the things that gets two Thursdays! There are so many people who want to participate that they break it up into two different weeks. And it’s delicious.”
I lift my hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. Whatever you say. No judgement.”
We start putting the basketballs back on the racks when Sadie asks, “So, are you free tomorrow night?”
I stop, hands on my hips, the gym suddenly feeling smaller. Her eyes are on me—curious, hopeful in a way that hits unexpectedly hard.
“For what?” I ask, trying to sound casual even though my chest tightens.
Sighing, she rolls her eyes. “Cherry Pit. It’s Thursday. The whole thing we just went over,” she grumbles while pointing between us.
Wait. What? Does she want to come with me?
“You—ugh.” I put my hand through my hair until it reaches my neck. I pull at the skin. “Want to go?”
She side-eyes me long enough for me to think about it. To wonder if that’s a flash of disappointment.
“Relax, Colson. It’s cherries. Not a marriage proposal.”
Her face almost pales on those last two words. I watch her swallow past whatever it is.
“Cherry pit. Yes. Let’s do it.”
Sadie smiles as she pushes the racks back so they’re ready to go for us tomorrow morning.
Us? Who am I? I’ve found it easy to kind of melt into her rec center schedule. That can’t be all that bad, right?
Fuck. Probably.
I don’t know. It’s easier to let that be the thing determining what’s on my schedule. The short term version of what’s next.
Do you know what I like best? I’m Coach Colson—not NBA player Colson Burke. I know some of the kids and their parents know who I am, a few bringing some things for me to sign in the most quiet and respectful way I’ve encountered.
No one’s blown it up yet. Nothing has been leaked.
After everything is put away, ready for another day of basketball chaos, Sadie’s locking the door when I ask her about it.
“Did you tell people? To keep me here a secret? Or something?”
Her eyes catch mine, and in the sunlight it’s like they’re made of gold. “No, not really. I lightly reminded the older kids to be respectful, the ones who I thought could pick you out of a lineup. But nothing else. Why?”
“People still don’t know that I’m here. I was expecting a few days of keeping it under wraps, but it’s been weeks.”
“You’re not the only person who has needed a break, Colson. They get that. Golden Harbor has good people.” She says this like she’s telling me the time—so sure and clear.
I nod because otherwise it doesn’t make sense. Back in Chicago, I’ve been bombarded at a coffee cart where people were being so aggressive that they bumped me, spilled my hot drink, and one of them tried to sue me for damages. It’s hard to envision a place where they let me be.
Maybe Golden Harbor is it? I bought my mom this house because I thought it was something she would love, a place worthy of her. Never thought I’d be the one who also needed a little Golden Harbor in my life.
The universe has a funny way of lining things up.
“Also, maybe they’re afraid of you.” Sadie shrugs her shoulders, putting the gym keys in her bag. “You have mastered that leave me alone or else look.”
The air is thick, like it’s clinging to my skin. Quietly, I laugh as her hair blows in the summer wind. “Never seemed to work on you.”
She pauses, dramatically turning her head to face me. “Nope. I’m not afraid of you, Colson Burke.” She pokes me in the chest playfully, and I find myself taking a step back.
It’s like something cracks, shakes free. Something I can barely put my finger on. But it feels like someone loosens the ropes tied around me.
Like a reflex, I grab her finger and she laughs. Like we’re both on the inside of a joke. The way she fills the space between us has me grinning back—I like that I surprised her.
And then everything slows. The wind almost dies down and a piece of her long blonde hair is stuck to her lips. Without thinking, my fingers delicately reach to her face, pulling the hair from her face and tucking it behind her ear.
What the fuck am I doing?
I cough, letting go of her finger and stepping back, turning it into me going back to my place.
“See you tomorrow, Sadie,” I call over my shoulder, trying to hide the grin through my words.
Because I barely know her. But being around her feels like I’ve finally come up for air.