I have seen New York on TV and flawless pictures on social media, but I never knew I would breathe in it this soon.

The bedroom we booked has a satisfying view of Times Square. Myles and I were staying there together for one night, or more precisely, I had to leave him behind for a single day, given I had to get back to California before Brayden. And since he flies on the team's jet, he could get home faster than a commercial passenger, which is why we agreed I must leave a day before the team. That way Brayden wouldn't have to suspect anything.

It was Saturday morning. I had spent most of the night on the plane after Myles had texted me on Instagram, informing me that the team had taken off. To avoid scrutiny and appearing on the news, I took a cab to the hotel and met Myles at the reception, waiting in the lounging area. He had stood up as I rushed over to him and warmed me into the most protective embrace.

"I was worried about you the whole time. I hated there was nothing I could do about it." He had sadly said, even when he had made sure I traveled with his bodyguard, Jake, who was behind me with my luggage.

So far, only Jake knew of our relationship. He was helpful, keeping us as secretive as possible. Yesterday morning when some of Myles's teammates stopped by, he and I hid in the closet and made out until Jake sorted it out, sending them off to my brother's. I don't even remember getting out of the closet, but I do remember when Jake knocked on the door and told us we were clear and I do remember waking up on Myles's bed in the evening, in his large t-shirt with disheveled hair and Myles's boxes ready against the wall.

Jake had helped Myles make dinner before he could leave. We ate together, me on Myles's lap.

After the meal, I got dressed and headed up to Brayden's apartment. Natalie was there, I didn't spare her even a glance. Up until that moment, I didn't know what she looked like, and I didn't care. I just rushed into my room while Brayden was asking where I had been. Then he had lingered by my door, bragging about breaking it open and dragging me to New York until, eventually, he answered David's call.

Time was against him. There was nothing to do, only to remind me we had to talk when he got back, and that Natalie's friend, Hannah, would check on me often. As though I gave a fuck.

It had amazed me though how he thought I would care to meet Natalie's friend if I hadn't even met Natalie herself.

Fast forward to the present, in Myles's arms in a grand hotel in New York, Myles kissed my cheek, he was standing behind me, and we were quietly watching the view outside. We had just had an indoor breakfast that was served by the room service.

"You've ever been here?"

"Here, no. New York. Yes," he replied.

"I mean it's a dumb question. You've probably been to all the states."

He smiled and sighed. It silently answered my thoughts.

"But I barely had time to explore. You know," he responded after a while.

"Your phone is ringing." I reminded him, as it had gone off a couple of times now.

"It's David." He said it like it was something we shouldn't worry about.

"Definitely it's going to be him. He expects you to be there with the team." I wiggled, trying to shrug him off. He let me, but when I turned over and faced him, he grabbed my hands in his and stepped closer.

I heaved and he did too.

"Come on," He took a step back with me to the bed. He sat down and pulled me down on his lap. I threw my arms around his shoulders and watched him watch me.

"You need to do well tonight and you need to train for that. This is probably why Nelson doesn't like me. I keep you away from your responsibility."

"Says who Nelson doesn't like you?" He said almost instantly, looping his arms around my small waist.

"Anytime he sees us together, he seems off. In the other game, it was just me, you were on the court. But he preferred Autumn."

"And I choose you. Does it matter what others' decisions are?" He asked, and sadly, he was right.

I shook my head, no.

"Also, you do not keep me away from my responsibilities. If anything, I am finally realizing what I had been missing my whole life."

Biting my lip, as I was deeply blushing, I brought my free hand to his face and traced the prominent line of his jaw.

"You are still coming over to the game?" He asked.

"For sure, I will be at the upper level, hiding away from my brother and his Miss America. But I will be cheering for you with that." I jerked my chin towards the yellow placard I had designed on the plane.

We looked over at the colorful painting, sitting on the armchair.

"Not only did he help me carry it around, Jake was so tolerant, but he also provided enough space for me to create it." I quietly appreciated it.

"Uhmm... I thought maybe he could keep you occupied for the day while I go meet the team. He had rented a vehicle, he would keep you safe for me."

I looked back at Myles, his gaze was hopeful. "When will I see you?"

"If we win, then probably tomorrow because there will be an after-party, but if we fail, then I will come back and we can snuggle on this bed." He explained each method.

"You are going to win. You better. I can't have a sore loser for a boyfriend."

His eyes lit up.

"Boyfriend huh?"

At that, fireworks went off in my stomach. I hid behind my flowing hair. "I mean, we are dating... You're... We are," I stammered.

"We're boyfriend and girlfriend. Cali." He interjected, setting me off the hook.

"You should kiss me, it will wash away the awkwardness." He added. It was impossible to squelch the laughter.

"Serious?"

He wiggled his brows at me, stubbornly stationing his claim.

I leaned over and met his smooth lips. He tasted sweet as always and smelled so irresistible. He nibbled my bottom lip, exhaling hard and heavily.

"I can stay here and we can do something tomorrow," I whispered when his teeth let go of my lip.

He kissed me again, passionately. I swallowed.

"Yes, but I will not leave you alone here. Go have fun, besides there are places we can't walk freely together without having cameras take evidence of us. Let Jake take you." He breathed in between the kisses.

When our lips brushed, his phone continued to ring. I giggled and his eyes rolled heavenward.

"Get up. I will try to go have fun. You should too."

I slipped out of the hug and rose to my feet while he dramatically fell on the bed on his back.

~

Around noon, when I was ready to explore New York City after a short nap, I donned a white dress shirt beneath a dungaree, hung my backpack over my shoulder, and stepped into my Nike shoe with my hair packed into a ponytail.

Jake was in the reception, he led me to the Mercedes he had rented and opened the rare door for me. It was ridiculous. I had always thought of sitting behind an empty car that isn't a cab or a child underage to ride in the passenger seat as a joke.

So I left Jake with a hanging door and circled him, pulling the front door for myself.

He smiled. He appeared fascinated by my motion while he closed the door.

The day started smoothly. Jake became my tourist guide. He took me places and explained everything I had asked. We took pictures of a bridge he called The Manhattan Bridge. Then we did it again behind historical buildings and walked around the central park eating pretzels and ice cream, talking about Myles most of the time until it was seven in the evening.

When he pulled by a beauty salon, I was surprised because I thought we were going back to the hotel.

He opened the door and steered me into a white and glossy scenery with elegant customers.

"Jake." An artificial blonde woman in extremely high heels approached us, flashing a superb set of teeth.

She called Jake. She knows Jake. She seemed awfully acquainted with him.

Okay?

"Theresa. It is nice seeing you." He said when the pretty woman pulled him into a hug. "This is Calista." He finally introduced us.

She looked over at me and smiled. She was tall and dressed formally and sexy. I can never.

"Welcome, Calista. Come, I am going to make your day." She promised.
Her smile was bright as her teeth.

I twirled and faced the man that got me there.
"Where did you bring me?"

"I will be here eating this cookie and reading this beautiful magazine." Jake was repressing a smile when he informed me in a professional tone.

"You read magazines?" That's a fat lie, the man only read the news on his laptop or phone. He had said it once in the past few days when he was at Myles's apartment.

"They provide it for people who are waiting." He annoyedly pointed out what was obvious.

Given there was no more fight in me, the man with the car key plunged into a seat and was reading a health magazine. I apologetically smiled at the woman and followed her lead.

We came across different areas and different people, who were wearing designer handbags, not backpacks, or worn Nike shoes. I felt small and insulted just walking down the shiny floor in a deplorable outfit that I thought was cool just this morning.

The entire place was quite sumptuous, it wasn't for me. I was absolutely sure of my insecurities, the moment Theresa pushed open a door, and a world of thousands of the prettiest clothes to ever exist appeared in front of me.

I was at a loss for words.
"Wow! I-I..."

"Trust me. I just need you to relax. I will do most of the work and you will fall in love with what you see." She promised.

Trust someone I just met? Isn't that stupid?

In fact, this whole thing doesn't seem okay. Central Park, was free. Taking pictures on the bridge was fine. Eating pretzels and window shopping were natural but this? It requires something way more than I can put forward.

"Can I have a minute? I will just see my friend at the reception." I excused myself from the woman and she beamed warmly again, showing me the way.

"Jake, what are we doing?" I spat in a whispering voice the instant I strode back to the comfortable man, sprawled on the armchair.

He shut the magazine he was pretending to enjoy and confronted the terrified side of me.
"She is going to get you out of that dungaree."

"Do you have to make me feel bad about it more than I already do?"

"My boss wants you to have fun." He let out straight away.

"This is not fun. Did you see the dresses? It's as though I were going to some royal ball. I can not afford anything here. And why are you not whispering?" Why is he awfully comfortable?

He stood up and sighed, suggesting, "Try them. Relish the moment. Theresa is Myles's friend. You don't have to worry."

He said what?

"Myles... friend how?" I stuttered impulsively, then swallowed at the sudden burn in my throat.

Jake analyzed me with a fixed stare and a disappointed expression on his face.

Shit, I just acted without consideration. Embarrassingly, I chew my lips, looking away from him.

"Theresa, she's ready." He waved over to the woman waiting for me and, to avoid further humiliation, I just caved in and let Theresa guide me forward.

I had a spa, and my nails were manicured and done. And was given a menu with lists and images of hairstyles and make-up to go through.

"Do I choose a style or..." I halted, confused. There were too many options. None that I believe was for me.

"What about I surprise you?" One of Theresa's girls that was standing behind me offered.

"Uhm... If I would not look too much."

Theresa was watching me through the mirror. She smiled and said, "I am certain you will be pleased with the result.

It was after hours of sitting and getting my face and hair manipulated and not looking into the mirror, that I was led into a four-walled room and accommodated into a fitted light gold ankle-length dress, slits on each side, mostly fixed with spaghetti straps from behind just as those serving as the hands.

When I was ready, Theresa helped me into a medium-sized heel and stood me before a mirror.

The girl that was my reflection was the hottest human I'd ever seen. There were no words on my tongue. My hair had never looked that pretty. It was somehow messily packed but it wasn't a ponytail because waves flowed behind and across my shoulder, and two locks down by the side of my face. The jewels attached were mild and pretty. Everything was of great quantity and standard.

"Told you," Theresa said when she noticed my struggle to accept the reflection across me.

I mean literally, my brows had never been this arched and perfect. Perhaps Jake was right. I needed this. I need this feeling of being pretty even for a single day in my life.

"Thank you." I croaked. With my heart in my throat at the overwhelming moment.

Theresa didn't charge me, if anything, she escorted me back to the reception with my backpack.

"Wow... You look spectacular." Jake went off stunned. He barely took his eyes off me while collecting the backpack from Theresa.

It was flattering, I was blushing. I would chew my lip if it wasn't painted.

"Well?" Theresa expected something, maybe her payment.

"Good job." He said instead and she smiled appreciatively and said goodbye.

That was ridiculous. It astounded me how pronouncing 'good job' was a payment for grand service in New York City.

I was shaking my head at Jake when my eyes met the wall clock. It was ten.

"Shit, shit. Shit."

"What?" Jake worriedly watches as I yank my backpack and search for my mobile phone.

"The game is over. I was supposed to be there. I-I made a support card." My eyes brimmed with tears.

How did I lose track of time?

My phone was connecting to Myles's when Jake informed me, "The team won."

I hung up the call.

Pride for the team victory and the pain of letting Myles down overwhelmed me at the same time.

"Look on the bright side, maybe it's for the best. Coming here alone was a risk. What if Brayden came across you?"

I exhaled shakily.

"Around thousands of audience?" I exhaled a sad laugh at his ridiculousness.

"I am sure Myles wouldn't mind. He only wants you safe and happy. And you were just that a minute ago."

Maybe he was right. Maybe everything worked out for the best solution, but that doesn't make the guilt I have for letting Myles down any better.

"Come on, let's go."

"I knew they would win. They came a long way." I mumbled when Jake opened the back door for me, silently suggesting it was better this time. I didn't argue. I needed space too.

"Yes." He agreed and when he settled behind the wheel, I asked him, "So that means Myles will be celebrating with the team?"

"Probably."

Okay.

I don't know how to feel. I know he needed his space and time, but I wished he could at least see how beautiful I looked this evening. I had never been this dressed up. I probably will never get to be.

"Are we going back to the hotel now?" I asked from the rare seat.

Jake glanced back at me from the rare mirror, informing me about the one last destination we would stop by before returning to the hotel.

"Does it matter?" I feebly muttered, but he heard.

He glanced through the rare mirror again, and politely complimented, "You look like a million bucks, you should get a kick out of it."

His statement was courteous, I smiled a little at him and dropped my eyes to my twitching fingers.