Colson
TwoMonthsLater
I feel like the human version of a sparkler, nerves and energy buzzing on my skin. Christmas morning has nothing on opening night in the NBA. Looking down, the light blue and black warm-ups remind me that it’s my first game on a brand new team.
No matter the result, I feel like I’ve already won.
I met with Darren a few days after seeing him at the kid’s summer tournament. He didn’t ask me what happened that night everyone’s been speculating; instead, he invited me to simply shoot around with his assistant coach. They watched me move, warm up, and it felt like I was catching up with old friends.
Once they saw I was moving like Colson Burke, pre-injury, everything became a formality. Flat out, they asked if I wanted to play for them, and I answered honestly—more than anything. This was my home team when I was a kid, where the dream of playing in the league started.
I told them about the night on the bench—start to finish. How I was going public with this in a few days. Darren shook his head and the hurt that crossed his face didn’t go unnoticed. They apologized for things that weren’t theirs to apologize for and promised me the medical staff didn’t operate like that in Detroit.
I cancelled the rest of my team meetings after that one—there was no reason to act like I was going anywhere else. My agent was reviewing my offer a few hours after I left the facility.
The athletic trainer was fired from my previous team and they’ve not been able to get another position in the league. Thank god. After everything came to light, I heard from everyone at my old team. The grateful rookie I went to bat for, my other teammates, and even the general manager. Everyone wished me luck and reiterated that there were no hard feelings.
I didn’t need their approval or understanding, but it definitely didn’t hurt.
When I walk out on the court, my heart jumps in my throat. I’m fucking proud of myself. I made it back. The tunnel is lined with eager fans, my jersey hanging, asking to be signed. Joy fills me and I make it a point to sign something for every single fan waiting for me. They take selfies. They tell me how happy they are to see me in their team’s jersey. I try to give each of them that moment we’ll both remember.
Darren catches my eyes from across the court and he tips his head. We have a great relationship and we’re only getting started. I know we’re going to have a great fucking season and I’m so excited.
We run through warm m-ups, and even though I’m still getting to know all the guys on the team, we’ve become fast friends. No ego on this team and I think that’s my favorite.
Fans are filling the stadium and I keep checking the courtside seats, literally the first row on the floor, that I bought for tonight. Every few minutes, my eyes wander, the perfect distraction as the nerves rush through my body.
I feel her before I see her.
Sadie. In my jersey. My number on the front and my last name on the back. Fuck. She’s gorgeous.
I jog towards her. The way her face lights up when she sees me? Fucking unmatched.
“Sunshine girl,” I greet her with the nickname that feels like it’s the only thing close to giving her justice.
Sadie wraps her arms around me before giving a quick kiss. Excitement rolls off her as she takes me in.
“Boy, you look damn good on a basketball court,” she jokes.
Maren jumps in with, “Colson, what are the odds I get smoked with a basketball tonight?” She keeps looking down at the court.
“Definitely possible.” I answer.
“Very cool,” she says, which I know means thank you in Maren.
Sadie puts a hand to my chest, “Go warm up. Enjoy! Go Wolves!”
I cover her fingers with mine. “I love you. Thank you for being here.”
“I love you,” she says back, her words pulling at my rib cage. No matter how many times she says it—proves it—it never gets old.
I jog back out to shoot around as a wave of calmness surrounds me. I wish my mom were here but I know she’d be so proud. Excited for this next adventure—both with the team and with Sadie.
Sadie was approached, personally, by Blair Miller—the first woman to ever play in the NFL. Sort of randomly, she became the kicker for the Upstate Cosmos this past season. A complete bad ass. Before she was on the team, she owned and ran a functional fitness gym, and is looking to expand the brand and mission. Blair was tagged in a video from one of the girls in our summer rec league as she made twenty free throws in a row… all the boys cheering her on. It had Blair looking at the team, looking at Sadie, and connecting with her for an opportunity.
Ember and Ashes, the gym brand, is coming to Golden Harbor. Sadie will help open it this winter and stay on staff, helping the day-to-day operations and finding more ways to get girls and women involved in sports.
It’s perfect for her.
