;I'm so proud of it that it makes me proud

Life for the rich and famous was what Maddox Hunter was made for.

His all black suit made with the finest of fabrics, tailored to his body with absolute perfection, paired with his devilish good looks, I call him a force to be reckoned with.

Tall, tanned, handsome and extremely freaking charming, a crooked smile from those full lips would bring a nun to her knees.

I slide my clammy hands down the front of my waist feeling the red satin material under my touch. Maddox's rough palm sits on my hip as he stares ahead grinning for the flashing cameras.

He tugs me closer and holds me tighter, as even though his mask is calm and collected, I know he's freaking out on the inside. Excited, but extremely nervous.

Reporters are screaming his name for interviews, fans lace outside the ropes, waving their hands in hopes of a single touch from the NBA draftee, high pitch squeals, low and deep whoops, children sitting on their fathers shoulders sporting various team jerseys.

This shit is intense.

I look up to my boyfriend as he smiles for a picture.

He looks so happy, which instantly brings a smile to my lips.

I'm so proud of him.

So incredibly proud.

"Maddox Hunter!" A small voice calls out. "Maddox!"

The flashes blind me slightly as I turn to see who's calling out. Looking towards the crowd I spot a little girl wearing a Bulls jersey. Mousey brown hair in braided pig tails as a matching red Bulls baseball cap sits on her head.

She's got wide, rough green eyes filled with hope and excitement as she raises her arm as high as she can and waves. She can't be no older than ten or eleven.

"Maddox Hunter!"

I nudge Maddox who can't seem to put a face to the voice.

Upon spotting the little fan, he grins and bends down to her height.

"Hey, there." he says softly. "What's your name?"

"I'm Abigail." she nods. "I'm your biggest fan."

He chuckles lightly. "You are? Lucky me." he taps the bill of her baseball cap. "Look at you all dressed up. Big Bulls fan, Abigail?"

The little girl nods animatedly sporting a massive grin. "I'm so excited for you to play. My dad said you're the next big All Star and will bring Bulls on top. Will you?"

He nods. "I'll do my best, especially for you, Abigail." he assures her.

Then her eyes wander and find mine. Tilting her head slightly her eyes drop and take me in before she leans into Maddox's ear and whispers something.

Maddox turns and looks up and me with a soft smile ghosting his lips, turning back to Abigail and nodding.

Whatever their conversation was about she was very excited about it, as soon as he nodded she clapped her hands together and jumped up and down.

He whispers something back, she nods and gives him a small wave before turning around and I assume heads back to her parents.

"That was incredibly hot, Baller." I murmur beside him as he leads me up the red carpet covered stairs.

"No-no hole again tonight then?" he whispers.

I purse my lips to stop from smiling as I shake my head.

Idiot.

As we stepped inside and out of the chilly New York air, Maddox was stuck in a tornado of taking pictures and signing autographs.

This was his life now. This is what he was born to do. And he's going to be damn amazing at it.

He was no longer the Baller King of FIU - he was Maddox Hunter, NBA draftee and best shooting guard the Bulls will ever have.

I can't help let my mind wonder about Cammy. He should be here. He should be getting his draft too. He'd of love to be here with Maddox - drafting together, celebrating, being there for the big moments before their life completely changes.

"We're sat at the front, baby, second row. Grab a seat and I'll be there in a minute." Maddox whispers in my ear.

I nod as he places a kiss on my cheek - multiple camera's instantly flashing around us trying to capture the intimate moment.

I push to my tippy toes to try and see my way around when I hear someone clear their throat behind me. Spinning round I'm met with those dark eyes that once shot daggers on me back home on the court.

Damien Hunter - Heats NBA superstar, and Maddox's father.

I stammer for a moment. "Mr Hunter, hi. Nice to meet you, finally." I give him a small smile. "Maddox just left, he had a couple of interviews to do." I inform him.

He looks to the ground, slowly lifting his gaze to meet mine.

"It's actually you I wanted to talk to, Tori." he says. His voice is deep and low.

"Oh, sure yeah."

Running a large tatted hand over his dark buzz cut, he in takes a deep breath. "I wanted to apologise." he tells me. "I judged you and I was wrong to do that."

My breath hitches as I try to respond.

"I thought you were a distraction when I should of thought of you as motivation. My son has made it perfectly clear on his feelings for you, and I respect that. I just hope you're willing to give an old man a second chance to put things right."

I nod, my smile big. "Of course, sir. I hold no grudge, and I would never stand in the way of Maddox and his dream, I care about him too much to do that." I tell him, meeting his dark eyes. "Fresh start?"

He grins, bringing his pearly whites out under that stubble he's rocking. "I'd like that very much."

"Wonderful, should we start by taking our seats and swapping embarrassing Maddox stories?" I cheese?

He gives me a soft chuckle. "I'd never miss an opportunity to embarrass my son." he jokes. "After you." his hand sweeping out for me to lead the way.

We finally find our seats, leaving a space in the middle for Maddox when he's finished with his interviews.

Mr Hunter is actually a really nice guy. I know he's given Maddox a rough time of it in the past but from what I can gather it's been out of love - maybe not executed in the right way, but he must of done something right, we're sitting at the 2022 NBA drafts, aren't we?

"He didn't!" I gasped through a giggle.

Mr Hunter nods, chucking along. "Seriously. He pooped in the pool and tried to blame the next door neighbours dog."

"I am so going to tease him about that." I joke.

Not joking though!

As our laughter falters, Mr Hunter turns serious and earnest suddenly.

"I can see why Maddox likes you so much. You're not like the girls he used to date."

I swallow my sip of water. "I'm not? I hope that's a good thing." I tease.

He nods. "A very good thing."

I chuckle when a shadow looms over me.

Craning my neck I see a baffled looking Maddox glancing between me and his father.

"What's going on here?" he asks.

"Your father was just telling me about the pool and poop incident." I taunt, lifting my face up as he places a kiss on my cheek, sitting between my and his dad.

Maddox eyes bug out his head as he swings his attention to his father.

"You didn't." he exclaims. Mr Hunter laughs. "Jeez, dad. Way to ruin my rep."

Mr Hunter grasps a hand on Maddox's shoulder, giving it a little squeeze. "You got yourself a dime here, son." he says, smiling at his kid. "And I'm proud of you. Very fucking proud.

Maddox body relaxes in an instant. "Thanks, Dad."

A small noise goes off and the building lights flash around us.

"Ready, boy?" His dad asks.

Maddox sighs, blowing it out slowly with a smile. "As I'll ever be."

He wraps his arm around the back of me and tugs me closer, giving my temple a little peck.

"Are you ready, Bella? Our lives are about to change forever."

"As long as it's with you, it could change a million times and I'd always be ready." I whisper. "I'm so proud of you, baby."

"I love you."

I kiss the back of his hand that's sitting in mine on the table. "I love you, Baller."

"Good evening and welcome to the 2022 NBA draft, I'm Jackson Wilton the president and your host for tonight!" the announcer booms down the mic.

A huge round of applause and cheers go off around the room.

"Wonderful reception. Lets get this show on the road then. Starting with the first pick of the night. The Chicago Bulls!"

Maddox places two fingers in his mouth and blows out a ear piercing whistle, his dad roars out a whoop and I clap so hard my hands are stinging.

Jackson Wilton opens up a card, grinning ear to ear before he looks up and speaks down the microphone.

"The first pick of the 2022 NBA drafts. The Chicago Bulls select Maddox Hunter, shooting guard from Florida International University!"

The whole room burst out into screaming cheers, I leapt to my feet but was soon taken off them as Maddox wrapped me up, nuzzling his face into my neck as he spun me around.

"One step closer to you marrying me, Bella." he muffles into my skin.

"Two actually." I correct. "One more step to go, baby."

He kisses my lips, hugs his dad and makes his way onto the stage.

His new Coaches stand beside the host, grinning at Maddox like he's the world most wanted lottery ticket, and I'll be damned if I'm not looking at him the same way.

My boyfriend, best friend, future husband and baby daddy's dream has just come true.

He's a NBA star.

And now I'm welling up with tears of utter joy for my favourite person.

Mr Hunter pulls me into a comforting side way hug, rubbing his hand up and down my upper arm before letting me go as we both watch someone we love shake officials hands, as a red Bulls cap is placed on his head.

Handing him the bright red Bulls jersey sporting his infamous number seven and last name on the back.

"Get it, Bulls!" he chants down the mic.

Everyone whistling, cheering and applauding my boyfriend. My baby. My world.

He steps of the stage with the Bulls team behind him, and instantly makes a bee-line for me and his father.

Mr Hunter pulls him into a man hug, patting his back then cupping his face, expressing how proud of his son he is.

As he should be.

A little boy's dreams came true tonight.

That six year old Maddox Hunter, wearing his basketball set and shooting three pointers into his plastic playset basket is standing here tonight, at the NBA drafts, now a fully fledged Bulls Player.

How amazing he must feel.

I dig my phone out my clutch and Facetime Cammy.

I know he'd love to be here tonight to support his best friend, and no doubt he's aching with agony that he can't be here in person, but a video chat is better than nothing, right?

As the phone rings, I glance up at Maddox who's showing his father his new jersey and I have to bite my lip from how big my smile wanted to come out.

"Tee!? How are you calling me right now! I'm watching it live!" Cammy exclaims.

I put my finger to my lips and take those few small steps to my boyfriends back, wrapping my arm around his back, holding the phone towards his face.

"Yes, brother!!" I hear Maddox call out in excitement.

He spins in his spot to face me and I grin back at him, jugging my phone closer for him to take.

I watch as he engages in a celebration call with his all time best friend.

"That was a real nice thing you just did. Thank you for doing that for him." Mr Hunter says beside me, both our eyes fixed on the man of the hour.

"They were meant to be here together, it only seemed right, even if it couldn't be in person." I reply wistfully, before giggling at Maddox and Cammy taunting the shit out of each other.

Maddox Hunter will always be my Knight in a shiny red jersey.

One step closer to marriage for Baller and Bella.

One step closer to the end of their story! -sniffles-

If you're still with us, then a massive thank you to you my wonderful reader!

We reached 10k today and I'm so touched to everyone who's stuck by me and the FIU basketball family, so again, thank you! You have no idea how much it means to me!

All my love,

Char x