It had been a few days since I returned to Atlanta. Life had settled into a familiar pattern, but there was a strange sense of emptiness hanging over me. Tee was constantly on my mind, an infuriatingly persistent presence. I found myself wondering what he was doing, what he was thinking about. But I stubbornly refused to admit that I missed him, even to myself.

As part of my job, I had visited Clemson University to scout it as a potential location for next year's pro bowl celebrations. Walking through the campus, I took in the surroundings, noting the football stadium, the surrounding areas, and the overall atmosphere of the place.

I made my way to the football stadium, admiring the size and setup of it. It had the potential to host a pro bowl event, with enough seating and amenities for the players and attendees. The campus itself was buzzing with energy, a perfect backdrop for the celebrations.

I met with the university officials, discussing the logistics and details of hosting the pro bowl. They seemed enthusiastic about the prospect and assured me that they would provide all the necessary resources and support to make the event a success.

I was leaving the football stadium after my meeting, lost in thought, when suddenly, I spotted a group of athletes walking towards me. It took me a moment to recognize them as Isaiah, Grady Jarrett, and then my heart skipped a beat as I saw Tee walking behind them, the familiar cocky grin on his face.

As the group approached, I tried to keep my cool, but my annoyance couldn't be contained. I looked right at Tee and quipped, "You know, I'm starting to think you have a secret talent for appearing wherever I am. Do you have some kind of tracking device on me or something?"

The athletes chuckled, but Tee just smirked, unbothered by my comment. "Oh, Avery, believe me, if I had a tracking device on you, I'd have found you sooner," he replied, his tone dripping with his usual confidence.

I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms in a defensive gesture. "Yeah, right. You're always just conveniently in the right place at the right time. It's getting a little creepy," I retorted.

Grady, sensing the tension between me and Tee, stepped in to explain their presence on the campus. "Yeah, we're here for a college football commercial. You know, promoting the love of the game and all that."

I raised an eyebrow, looking between Tee and Grady. "A football commercial. Right. I suppose you're going to need some help with that?" I asked, a hint of sarcasm in my voice.

Tee's eyes sparkled with amusement as he saw the opportunity to rile me up. "Oh, well, if you insist on helping us, who are we to say no?" he said, rubbing his hands together in mock excitement.

I rolled my eyes again, realizing I had walked right into his trap. "Don't get too excited, Tee. I'm just here to make sure you don't mess up your lines or something," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

Tee chuckled, his smile growing wider. "Don't worry, princess, you can babysit me all you want. I promise I'll be on my best behavior," he said winking.

Grady and Isaiah shared a look, silently watching the exchange between us. I could feel their eyes on me, silently amused by our usual banter.

As we walked back to the stadium, Grady casually put his arm around me, as if we were old friends. He then changed the subject, bringing up my friend Hannah.

"Ah, Hannah," I replied, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Yeah, I know her brother, Younghoe. He actually plays with you on the Falcons, right?"

Grady's eyes widened in surprise for a moment, then he laughed. "Oh, yeah, Younghoe. He's a good kid. Great kicker, can barely speak English to save his life, though."

I chuckled, remembering how Younghoe had struggled with English in the beginning. "Yeah, he's still learning. But he's got a great attitude and a hell of a leg."

Grady nodded in agreement. "Definitely. His kicks have saved our asses more times than I can count. But I'm sure you already know that, being Hannah's friend and all."

"Yeah, she keeps me up to speed on all his games," I said, thinking of how Hannah would call and update me on all the latest football news, particularly when it came to her brother and husband.

Grady turned to me with a mischievous smile. "I bet she's always trying to set you up with some of the other players too, huh?"

I laughed and nodded. "Oh, definitely. Hannah's always been trying to play matchmaker ever since we were kids. She's got a never-ending list of potential dates for me." I sighed, recalling the recent drama in my love life. "But lately, she's been a little too invested. I recently broke up with my boyfriend, and now his best friend, who happens to be Ja'Marrs teammate, has started flirting with me."

"You mean Tee, don't you?" Grady followed my gaze towards the front, where Tee was walking a few steps ahead with Isaiah. Grady chuckled, sensing my annoyance.

I rolled my eyes, feeling my irritation growing. "Yeah, who else?" I sighed, shaking my head. "Ever since the night we spent together, he's been acting like a lovesick puppy, trying to get my attention any chance he gets."

Grady laughed, clearly entertained by the situation. "Ah, that sounds like Tee, alright. When he sets his sights on something, he goes all in. You might wanna brace yourself for the full court press."

I shot Grady a knowing look. "Oh, believe me, I know it's just a game to him. Tee is famous for his player-like ways. He doesn't actually like me. He's just got this weird obsession with getting my attention and getting under my skin."

Grady looked at me with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Wait, you're the girl Tee got into that fight over? The one he was suspended for a couple weeks ago?"

I sighed, nodded, and confirmed his suspicion. "Yeah, that's me. Tee got into a fight with Ja'Marr because of me. Stupid, right?"

Grady let out a low whistle, clearly impressed by Tee's actions. "Wow, that's some dedication. Getting suspended and fighting with your best friend over a girl? Tee must really be head-over-heels for you."

"Oh, shut up, Grady. You're way too invested in this whole thing. Tee doesn't like me. He's just being his usual obnoxious self. He'll get bored eventually and move on to the next thing that catches his eye." I gave Grady a playful glare.

As we entered the field, the atmosphere changed. The air was thick with anticipation, the energy buzzing with excitement. The production crew was bustling around, setting up cameras and equipment. Tee, Isaiah, and the rest of the guys were stretching and preparing for the shoot.

As I was taking in the scene, the sound of rapid footsteps approaching caught my attention. Whipping around, I saw a slender brunette girl, Calia, running towards us, looking flustered and out of breath.

"Sorry I'm late!" Calia panted, stopping in front of us. "I couldn't find parking, and then my phone died, and..." She trailed off, catching her breath.

Isaiah chuckled, wrapping his arm around Calia. "Always such a drama queen, babe'," he teased, planting a kiss on her forehead.

I couldn't help but notice Tee's gaze locked onto me, his eyes following my every movement. I tried to ignore it, but it made me slightly uncomfortable. Why was he always watching me like that? It was like he found some sick pleasure in getting under my skin.

Calia, still in high spirits, quickly wrapped her arms around me in a friendly hug. "So good to see you!" she exclaimed, her voice a bit breathless.

I returned the hug, feeling genuinely happy to see her. "It's been a while," I agreed, smiling. "You're looking great." Calia blushed at my compliment, fiddling with her hair. "Thanks," she said sheepishly. "But I think the real spotlight should be on you. You look amazing."

I chuckled, feeling my cheeks warm up a bit. "Stop it, you're too kind." I could feel Tee's eyes still on me, his gaze burning a hole in my back.

In the midst of our conversation, Calia suddenly changed the subject. "Oh, wait, I heard from Hannah that she's pregnant again!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement.

Grady, who had been practicing nearby, dropped his football as he overheard our conversation. His eyes widened, and he chimed in. "Wait, Hannah's pregnant again? Didn't she just have a baby like a year ago?" I nodded, confirming their suspicion. "Yeah, she's expecting again. It's a little unexpected, but she's thrilled about it."

Grady shook his head, a mixture of surprise and amusement on his face. "Damn, she doesn't waste any time, does she? Two kids in two years. She and Jayden must be keeping busy." I laughed, agreeing with Grady. "Yeah, they sure are. But Hannah's always wanted a big family, so I guess she's just getting a head start on things."

Calia chimed in, excitement in her voice. "That's so exciting! When is she due? Do you know if it's a boy or a girl yet?"

Just as Calia was about to ask more questions, a member of the production staff interrupted, signaling that it was time to start filming. "Alright, everyone, let's get into position! We're ready to start rolling."

Tee, seeing an opportunity, spoke up. "Hey, wait a second," he said, shooting a sly grin in my direction. "What about adding one more person to the commercial?"

The production staff looked momentarily stunned, then turned to Tee, intrigued. "Alright," the director said, "who did you have in mind?"

Tee's eyes locked onto mine once again, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "How about we bring Avery into the commercial as well?"

I froze, taken aback by Tee's suggestion. Why the hell did he want me in the commercial? I was just here to watch the shoot, not to be featured myself. The staff exchanged glances, considering Tee's proposal.

The director turned to me, an eyebrow raised in question. "What do you think, Avery? Are you up for being in the commercial too?"

I hesitated for a moment, feeling a mix of curiosity and trepidation. "Well, what would I have to do exactly?" I asked, directing the question at the director.

The director smiled, reassured that I was willing to participate. "It's simple, really. We just want you to stand beside one of the players, look pretty, and occasionally smile for the camera."

I raised an eyebrow, feeling a little unimpressed by the description. Standing there and looking pretty wasn't exactly a challenging task. "That's it?" I asked, my skepticism evident in my tone.

The director nodded, gesturing towards a stack of clothing nearby. "Yes, just put on that Clemson hoodie over there. We'll want to show some school spirit in the commercial."

I complied, reluctantly grabbing the hoodie and slipping it on. It was a bit too big for me, but it would do the job. Calia chuckled at the sight, giving me a playful nudge.

Feeling a strange mix of excitement and nervousness, I obliged, walking over to stand between Isaiah and Tee with my back to the camera as directed. Their presence on either side of me was overwhelming, their broad shoulders dominating my view.

Following the instructions, I glanced over my shoulder, catching a glimpse of the camera behind me. I offered a small wink, trying to appear casual and natural. This was definitely out of my comfort zone.

As I turned my head back to face Tee, he was watching me intently, a small smile playing on his lips. His eyes were dark, intense, and it made me feel a little self-conscious under his gaze. I quickly averted my eyes, trying to ignore the heat creeping up my cheeks.

The director's voice rang out, signaling the end of the take. "Cut! That's a wrap for this part, guys." Tee, who had been unusually quiet the entire time, suddenly leaned in closer, the heat from his body sending goosebumps down my arms. "You did great," he whispered, his breath tickling my ear.

I glanced over at him, feeling a strange mix of annoyance and thrill. Why did he have to be standing this close to me? Why did his voice have to be so damn attractive?

"Thanks," I mumbled, trying to keep my voice steady. I took a small step away, creating a bit of distance between us. Grady then called out, a smirk plastered on his face.

"Yeah, you looked pretty natural up there," Grady teased, his eyes flicking between me and Tee. "You two look good together."

I shot Grady a glare, silently telling him to shut it. The last thing I needed was him adding fuel to the fire. Tee, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy Grady's comment, his smile widening.

"You hear that?" he said, nudging me playfully. "We look good together."

I rolled my eyes, deciding to end this little interaction. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say," I replied, walking away from him. It was getting increasingly hard to maintain my composure around Tee.

@averyshutupzz: beautiful little life
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