The next morning, I woke up with a start, my alarm blaring. I groaned and silenced it, rubbing my eyes and trying to shake off the restless night. Today was the day of the Awards, and I had a lot to do before the evening.

I quickly sprang into action. I showered, got dressed in my work attire (a professional yet comfortable outfit), and grabbed my work bag that was filled with documents and plans. The event would begin at 7pm, but I had to be there hours before to oversee the final preparations and coordinate with the venue staff.

I made my way down to the hotel lobby, my mind already going over my to-do list for the day. I checked my phone to see if there were any new messages or emails, and fortunately, everything seemed to be going smoothly so far.

As I walked through the lobby, I spotted a familiar face - Isaiah, the NFL's best linebacker, was standing by the front desk, talking to his gf, Calia. They both looked up as I approached.

"Hey, good to see you," I greeted them, trying to sound composed despite the exhaustion from the lack of sleep.

Isaiah flashed his signature smile. "Good morning," he replied easily. "You ready for tonight?"

I chuckled at his confidence. "Oh, yeah," I said, rolling my eyes jokingly. "You're just ready because you already know you're going to win that Best Linebacker award, huh?"

Isaiah smirked, clearly not denying my statement. "Damn right," he said, his confidence unwavering. "This award's practically mine already."

I checked my watch, realizing the time was slipping away. "I'd love to chat, but I have to get to the venue," I told Isaiah and Calia. "Gotta handle the final preparations before the event kicks off tonight."

"No worries," Calia said, giving me a friendly wave. "We'll see you there tonight, right?"

I nodded, a flicker of trepidation in my eyes. "Yeah, you'll see me there," I confirmed. "With a date, actually." I hadn't meant to drop that bombshell quite so casually, but it was out now. I heard Calia's surprise exclaimed "What?" from behind me and chuckled to myself, quickening my pace to avoid further questions.

As I arrived at the venue, the grand building was already a beehive of activity. The red carpet was getting set up, and the staff was hustling to get everything ready for the night's event. I took a deep breath and walked into the chaos, ready to get to work.

I spent the next few hours in a flurry of motion, coordinating with the venue team, setting up decorations, and making sure everything was in order for the arrival of the players and guests. I made sure the VIP lounge was ready, the seating arrangements were as requested, and the stage was prepared for the awards ceremony.

As the clock ticked closer to 6pm, I discreetly changed into a more glamorous outfit that I had brought along for the event. The new dress was a flattering, form-fitting design, and I freshened up my makeup to match the evening's glamour. I checked my appearance in the bathroom mirror, satisfied with the transformation I had made, and took a deep breath before making my way to the front of the venue.

I stood near the entrance, waiting for my fake date, but trying to stay out of sight. I didn't want the media to spot me and start asking questions about my 'date' before he even arrived. I checked my phone for the time - 6:08pm and still no sign of Tee.

Just as I was starting to wonder if Tee was going to show up at all, I saw Hannah Jacoby and Jayden appear on the red carpet, looking absolutely perfect as usual. I watched as they posed for photos and spoke to reporters, the media's constant clicks and flashes surrounding them.

Just as I had finished watching Hannah and Jayden's carpet arrival, my attention was caught by the arrival of Terry. He walked up to the carpet, and his charismatic persona immediately commanded everyone's attention. He was cracking jokes and making everyone around him laugh, the media clearly enjoying his quick wit.

Over the next few minutes, a few more athletes arrived, all looking elegant and ready for the night. I continued watching from afar, waiting for Tee to make his grand entrance. I checked my phone again - 6:15pm. Where was he?

Just as doubt started to creep in, a stretch limousine pulled up a little distance away from the entrance. The vehicle caught my eye, as it stood out amongst the line of regular cars. I watched, holding my breath, as the door opened and out stepped Tee.

As soon as I saw Tee step out of the limo, I knew I had to make my move. I couldn't just stand by and allow the media to descend upon him, bombarding him with questions. So, swallowing my pride, I approached him with a smile, trying to make it look like it was all according to plan.

"So, there you are," I said, giving him a once-over. "I was getting bored waiting for you." Tee smirked at my comment, clearly amused by my annoyance. "Sorry to keep you waiting, princess," he replied, leaning in and wrapping an arm around my waist. "Had to make a grand entrance, you know."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as his arm encircled me. The casual familiarity of his touch was... confusing. Pushing aside my inner turmoil, I focused on looking natural as if being his date was the most ordinary thing in the world.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," I retorted, trying to sound nonchalant. "Let's just get this over with. The media's not going to wait all night for us." Tee chuckled and led me towards the entrance, and instantly, the camera flashes started going off. Photographers and reporters yelled out questions and tried to get our attention, but Tee just maintained his usual cocky expression and kept moving forward, practically pulling me along with him.

"Come on, darlin'," he teased, his voice a little too close to my ear. "Don't you know the routine? Smile and wave for the cameras." I gritted my teeth but forced a smile, playing along with the charade. I waved and smiled, pretending to be Tee's cheerful and relaxed date, all while my mind was racing and my heart pounded in my chest.

We walked the red carpet together, stopping to pose for pictures and giving a few brief comments to the reporters. I did my best to act natural, but I could feel the weight of the media's curiosity and the pressure of keeping up the ruse.

Tee was playing his part perfectly, acting charming and at ease, his arm still comfortably around my waist. I had to admit, he was good at this - he looked completely unbothered.

As we finally made it inside the venue, I couldn't help but exhale a breath of relief. But my respite didn't last long as I remembered that this was just the beginning of the night. I had to act like Tee's date through the entire event.

We were immediately accosted by Calia and Isaiah, who had been watching our red carpet debut from the side. Calia's eyes widened as she took in the sight of us together, and Isaiah let out a low whistle of disbelief.

"Well, well, well," Calia said, a sly smile spreading across her face. "I'll be damned. Never in a million years would I have guessed you two would be each other's dates."

Terry, who was right behind us, suddenly let out a loud gasp and a shout of shock. "WHAT?!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing through the hallway. "You two are together? Since when?!"

Calia, Isaiah, and Terry surrounded us, all of them in varying states of surprise and confusion. The questions started firing at me like rapid-fire.

"You're really Tee's date?"

"How long has this been going on?"

"Why didn't you tell us?"

"Whoa, hold on," I finally managed to interrupt the barrage. "It's not what you think." I quickly glanced at Tee, silently pleading for him to back me up.

Tee seemed to catch my plea and leaned in close, his voice low and meant only for my ears. "Let's just go with it, princess," he murmured, his voice tinged with mild amusement. "It'll be more fun this way."

I gritted my teeth, furious at his response. I knew Tee was enjoying this whole situation far too much. I could see the media still watching us from a distance, probably eagerly awaiting my response. Against my better judgement, I decided to play along – for now.

Taking a deep breath, I turned back to the others, feigning a carefree smile. "Yeah, it's a new thing," I said, trying to sound nonchalant. "We're just trying it out, seeing where it goes."

Calia looked skeptical, her eyes narrowed as she scrutinized us. Terry, meanwhile, still looked completely dumbfounded, his mouth hanging open. Even Isaiah, who usually had a more stoic expression, seemed surprised.

"And you didn't think to tell us about this little development?" Calia asked, crossing her arms. "I thought we were friends."

Terry chimed in then, his usual playful demeanor replaced by a look of betrayal. "Seriously!" he exclaimed. "I thought we were supposed to tell each other everything!" Tee seemed to be enjoying the spectacle, his arm still around my waist as he observed the drama unfold. I shot him another frustrated look, silently imploring him to help me dig us out of this situation.

Seeing my growing agitation, Tee finally decided to intervene. He wrapped his arm around my waist a little tighter and gently started leading me away from the others.

"C'mon, darlin'. We have an awards ceremony to attend," he said, his voice carrying a tone of casual dismissal.

Tee and I made our way to the large group table where Hannah Jacoby, Jayden, and a few other athletes were already seated. I noticed a few odd looks aimed our way – no doubt, they had seen our red carpet entrance and were a little curious as to why Tee and I were suddenly 'together'.

Tee, undeterred by the looks, confidently pulled out a chair for me and pushed it in, gesturing for me to sit down – a little too much like an actual date. I wanted to smack him, but instead, I sat down stiffly, trying to maintain a composed front.

Tee then took his seat right next to me, making sure our thighs were touching slightly under the table. I felt my face flush with frustration and embarrassment at the intimate proximity.

Hannah Jacoby, seated beside me, leaned in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, spill the tea, girl," she said, her voice lowered. "Since when are you and Tee on a date?"

I gave Hannah a resigned look, silently hinting that I would explain later. She nodded, understanding the message, but her eyes were still glimmering with curiosity. Meanwhile, Tee was engaged in conversation with Jayden, seemingly oblivious to our whispers.

Baby Jacoby, the adorable toddler in Hannah's lap, babbled happily, reaching out to pull at my dress. I couldn't help but smile, forgetting for a moment the insanity of the situation.

"Hey there, cutie," I cooed, tickling his chubby cheek gently.

Hannah leaned over, a wide smile on her face. "Seems like he likes you," she said, laughing as Jacoby babbled something undecipherable. "Maybe you're meant to be a mom one day."

I shot Hannah a deadpan look, knowing that being a mother was the furthest thing from my mind at the moment. "Uh, yeah, no," I said, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "Can you imagine me as a mom? That's a terrifying thought."

Hannah just chuckled, clearly amused by my response. Meanwhile, Tee leaned towards me, his voice low but clearly amused.

"Now that's just rude, princess," he said, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "I think you'd make a great mom."

I scowled at him, not appreciating his input on the topic. "And what makes you think you know anything about parenthood, Mr. Football Star?" I retorted, unable to keep the annoyance out of my voice.

Tee just shrugged nonchalantly, seemingly unfazed by my sarcastic remark. "Hey, I might not know anything about being a parent," he replied, his hand casually wandering onto my thigh under the table. "But I know a lot about women, darlin'. And you..." He leaned in closer, his breath against my ear, "...you've got a nurturing side."

I froze, my face falling as his words hit me. I wasn't sure whether to be angry at his audacity or unnerved by his observation. His hand on my thigh felt like a hot brand, and I tried to ignore the way my heart was speeding up at his proximity.

Hannah, clearly sensing the tension, quickly tried to ease the mood with a question directed at Tee.

"So, Tee," she asked, her tone casual yet clearly trying to deflect from the moment between us. "What do you think of this year's nominees for Best Athletes?"

Tee, thankfully taking the hint, immediately engaged in the conversation. "Ah, you know, there's some tough competition this year," he replied, his hand finally moving off my thigh and onto the table – but not before giving my leg a subtle squeeze. "But hey, I think I've got a fair shot at winning," he added, his usual cocky confidence resurfacing.

Hannah rolled her eyes playfully. "Cocky as ever, I see," she teased. "But I don't think you're winning this year, buddy." Hannah's comment seemed to spark something in Tee, his competitive side coming out. "Oh, yeah?" he replied, his voice a bit challenging. "You think Terry's gonna win over me?"

Jayden chimed in, grinning. "Oh, come on, Tee," he said, a hint of playful mockery in his voice. "Terry's been killing it this year. He might just snatch the award right from under your nose."

The conversations slowed to a halt as everyone started to pay attention to the awards show that had begun on the stage. The lights dimmed, and the host walked out, starting the awards with the opening jokes.

The lights darkened further, and then the spotlight hit the stage. A group of artists stepped out – Tyler the Creator, Sexy Redd, Lil Wayne, and Glorilla. They started performing a song called "Sticky," the music filling the venue and getting the crowd pumped.

The vibe was electric as the performers moved across the stage, each adding their own style to the song. The audience was clearly enjoying the performance, some even clapping enthusiastically along with the beat.

Once the performance was over, the host, a famous comedian, took the stage again.

"Alright, folks, now it's time for the awards we've all been waiting for!" he announced, the crowd cheering loudly in anticipation.

He began calling out the awards, starting with the less significant ones. The room was filled with applause and the occasional loud cheer as each winner was called out and walked up to the stage to collect their awards.

The room went quiet as the host called out the nominees for Comeback Player of the Year. After a dramatic pause, the host finally announced the winner.

"And the winner for Comeback Player of the Year is... Terry Mclaurin!"

Jayden, Hannah, and I all broke out in loud cheers and applause. I clapped so hard my hands started to hurt. Terry had truly earned this award, and I couldn't help but feel a wave of genuine joy for him.

Terry made his way up to the stage, a look of sheer elation on his face. He shook hands with the host and accepted the award. The audience gave him a standing ovation, clearly impressed by his achievements.

Terry took the microphone, his hands trembling with emotion.

"First of all, I want to thank God," he began, his voice cracking a bit. "Without Him, none of this would've been possible." Everyone in the audience was captivated by his words, hanging onto every syllable.

Terry continued, his voice growing stronger. "Next, I want to thank my team, my coaches, and my family for their endless support. And, of course, my fans. Your belief in me is what kept me going during my toughest times." The room was dead silent, all eyes on him. Terry's voice grew even more emotional as he concluded his speech. "This award...it means the world to me. To come back from where I was... it's been a long, hard journey. But you...you all believed in me, and that's what made it possible. Thank you."

The room exploded in applause, the audience standing and cheering loudly for him.

The host cleared his throat, preparing to announce the next award: Offensive Player of the Year. The room grew silent, eagerly awaiting the name that would be called out.

The host announced the winner, his voice loud and clear. "And the Offensive Player of the Year is... Tee Higgins!"

A collective gasp could be heard across the room, followed by a wave of applause mixed with surprise. Everyone turned to look at Tee's table, myself included, watching his reaction.

Tee leaned over, his lips brushing against my forehead in a quick but intimate gesture, before standing up to walk towards the stage. The audience watched the display silently; some whispered amongst themselves, clearly intrigued by the public show of affection.

Tee reached the stage, shaking hands with the host and accepting the award. The applause was louder now, and a few people were even whistling. Tee looked out at the audience, his gaze flicking to our table before he began his speech.

Tee took the microphone, a slight smirk on his face.

"Well, I gotta say, this is unexpected," he began, his voice carrying a hint of surprise. "But I'm damn happy to win this." The audience chuckled, clearly amused by his laid-back attitude. He continued, his tone slightly cocky. "I wouldn't be here without my team, though. They've worked their asses off out there. And, of course, I gotta thank my amazing parents for raising a winner." A few people in the audience laughed, clearly smitten by his charm.

Tee finished his speech with a cocky grin, his gaze once again flitting across the room towards our table. He nodded and walked off the stage, the applause for him still ringing in the air.

The room was abuzz with anticipation as the host stepped up to the microphone once again.

"And now, the moment we've all been waiting for," the host started, his voice ringing out across the room. "The most prestigious award of the night – the Most Valuable Player!"

The host announced the winner with a pause for dramatic effect. "And the award for Most Valuable Player goes to... Jayden Daniels!" The room erupted in applause and cheers, everyone standing to give Jayden a well-deserved standing ovation.

Hannah was sobbing into Jayden's chest, tears of joy streaming down her face. Jayden, his own eyes tearing up, gently cradled her, his fingers running through her hair.

Meanwhile, Terry approached Jayden, a wide smile on his face. The two embraced in a tight, affectionate hug, slapping each other on the back as they both shed happy tears.

I was in tears, watching my closest friends achieve such incredible success. It was a moment of pure love, happiness, and accomplishment. The room was filled with the sounds of cheers, sobs, and laughter, everyone caught up in the emotional whirlwind of the moment.

As the applause died down, Jayden made his way to the stage, his arm around Hannah. He took the microphone from the host and began to speak, his voice choked with emotion.

"This...this is an incredible moment," Jayden began, his voice cracking slightly. He pulled Hannah closer to him, his arm around her waist. "I wouldn't be here without my wife Hannah. She's my rock, my everything." He looked down at her and smiled widely.

Jayden continued, his voice filled with emotion. "And this little one here." He gestured to Jacoby, who was in Hannah's arms. "This little guy has been my source of strength through it all. I'm dedicated this award to both of you."

The room awww'ed in unison, touched by Jayden's genuine words. Hannah's eyes filled with fresh tears as she looked at Jayden adoringly, clutching Jacoby closer to her chest.

Jayden's eyes flicked over to where Terry and I were sitting. "And shout out to my family over there," he said, his voice holding a hint of amusement. "Terry and Avery – you keep me grounded, man." A ripple of laughter went through the crowd, amused by Jayden's lighthearted shoutout.

Jayden finished his speech with a heartfelt smile, looking down at Hannah and Jacoby once more. "Thank you, everyone. This means everything to me." Applause and cheering echoed around the room, everyone applauding Jayden's incredible achievement.

The awards ended with one final round of applause, everyone still buzzing from the spectacular show they'd just witnessed. The room was filled with murmured conversations and excited chatter as people started to mill around, congratulating the winners and catching up with friends.