"Hey man, you almost ready," I hear Kyle from shout out from our hotel bedroom. I stand still looking into the bathroom mirror. I'm wearing my black Hugo Boss tuxedo, a white button up shirt with a black tie. My black hair is slicked back with gel down the middle between my 1 inch buzz cut on each side of my head. You'd think I'm going to a funeral but actually the complete opposite. The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. I was invite not only because I'm the starting QB for the Philadelphia Eagles, but my girlfriend, Rose Grey, is in the show tonight. She and I have been going out for about six months now. We met on a Nike photoshoot set about eight months ago, texted each other for a little bit and here we are now. Nike just endorsed me a year ago and because of that I've done three photoshoots so far. The one that involved Rose, we were in a weight lifting room and posing on the equipment. It was pretty hot. This is her first year in the Victoria's Secret fashion show, so I know it's a big deal for her and I have to show up. She's been in Calvin Klein and Michael Kors fashion show, but tonight is more reviling and televised. I made sure to bring my "best man" today Kyle otherwise I definitely won't be able to make it through the night. I mean don't get me wrong, I'm all about seeing half naked girls walk on the runway with lacey underwear, but Rose is extra nervous today and dealing with all her phone calls and texts kind of got me in a dull mood.
"Come on man, we have to leave soon," Kyle stated as he walked into the bathroom. He was also wearing a tuxedo but a white one with a black button up and a white tie. I think he looked ridiculous but that's why he's single. I mean, he lays girls every weekend but that's only because he's a professional football player as well. We're both on the same team, he plays wide receiver, and we're practically a package deal. "With all the press outside this hotel room and I'm sure inside the show we need to leave early. Also you can't forget the pink carpet."
"Alright, alright," I say as I switch off the light and make my way past him out of the bathroom. "Rose has been blowing up my phone today. I can tell she's really nervous. She keeps on saying, 'I'm going to slip and fall. Something is going to fall of me.'" I grab my shoes that are laying by the side of the bed, sit down and start to put them on.
"Well, just make sure you clap every time she passes you. Wave, blow kisses, you know, all the girly shit she likes. Besides think of all the sex you'll be getting tonight," Kyle said with a smirk on his face. "Maybe I can get myself some tonight as well. Good thing we got a room at the hotel all the girls are staying at." He's such a filthy animal I thought to myself.
I finished putting on my shoes and stood up. "Alright, it's 5, let's get going." I open the hotel room door and walk into the hallway. Kyle follows me and I can hear the door shut behind us. I start walking to the elevator doors and press the down arrow. We're spending the night on the third floor in one of the Trump Hotel suites. It was a pretty nice suite. We had our own bedroom on opposite sides of the room; of course Kyle thought that was a great idea for all the sex we're supposed to be having tonight, a common area, a kitchen and a double sink bathroom. Nice view of the New York City skyline as well. The elevator door slides open and two girls appear. I can tell they're fans by the way their eyes lit up, cheeks started to blush and giggles started to form. I hear a huff from Kyle. I step into the elevator and press G right away. Kyle follows behind me and steps between the two girls and I. The elevator door closes with a "ding" and I wait.
"I'm sorry to bother the both of you," one of the girls finally speaks up, "but do you mind if we get a quick selfie?" I look over at Kyle and he was already stepping in between the two of them.
"Sure," I say under my breath and step closer to the girl that asked. She lifted her IPhone 6 Plus, clicked the camera app and pressed the center button. And like that, the elevator doors opened to the ground floor. Perfect timing. "Have a good night ladies," I say over my shoulder as I step out and start making my way to the double doors.
"Thank you so much! We love you! Good luck this season!" Both the girls are shouting from the elevator. Kyle finally catches up to me, we pass the lobby desk and the bar head towards the black Cadillac Escalade waiting for us right outside.
"Oh my God Mike!" "Kyle over here!" "I love you guys!" "Hey do you think you'll make it to the playoffs this year?" These kinds of comments are coming from every directions, mostly from girls. Camera flashes are starting to go off and a crowd is starting to form around us. Some shoving and pushing started but we made it out the door and into the car.
"That's what we get for the professional life," Kyle states as he slams the door and we start driving to the show. Luckily the show isn't too far from the hotel, about a 5 minute drive. But this is New York City, so with the traffic more like a 15 minute drive, especially at 5 o'clock. We start making our way down Broadway Street and towards 52nd. I see tourists and their families walking down the sidewalks. It's a beautiful day outside for the beginning of December. The sun is shining through the clouds and it's around 60 degrees. I feel my phone vibrate and I already know who the text is from.
"Are you on your way? A lot of the guest are already here. Plus you'll have to walk the pink carpet. I'm already changed in my first costume. One of the straps broke off but we got it fixed. THANK GOD! See you down the runway! Love you! Xx" I read the text message to myself without having the read the contact name. I quickly text back, "On my way now. You'll do great, relax! Love you too." I press send and look out the window again. I see that we're already at 53rd, almost there. The car comes to a stop at the sidewalk right in front of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2016 show. From the window I can see the "Pink Carpet", something that Kyle and I will have to walk it order to get in to the building. It's like the red carpet for the Grammys, but pink because it's Victoria's Secret. Like the Grammys, there are tons of reporters and photographers behind the barricade waiting to take our photos and ask us questions.
"Here we go," Kyle says under his breath and opens the car door to the beginning of the pink carpet. Reporters flood to the left and right of him like usual. I step out of the car right behind him and start to make my way to the backdrop where the both of us will answer some questions, pose, and enter the building. Kind of feels like we're the models.
"Michael over here." "Kyle. Mike!" "We love you guys." "Hey guys, turn over here!" "Can we ask you some questions?" Reporters and fans shouted at us from every direction. I follow Kyle over to the backdrop, turn around and stand next to him. We stand next to each other for a couple minutes and let the reporters take out photos. Flashing lights, shutter noise, and screaming goes off.
I can barely hear Kyle say, "I'm going to go over to People Magazine and answering some questions. I'll meet you inside in like 10 minutes man." He leaves my side and walks over to George Lopez for Q&A. I look out at the sea of reporters and see Ryan Seacrest with E! News. I'll talk to him, he's always a chill guy to chat too. I make my way over and hear him speak into his microphone and at the camera, "Oh lucky us! Here we have star quarterback Michael Hill from the Philadelphia Eagles! How are you man?" He asks as I approach him and pats me on the back.
"I'm great! Thanks Ryan. You look good." I tell him as I shake his hand and look into the camera.
"Oh thanks," he responds with a smile, "but not as good as the ladies tonight." He sneaks in a laugh. "So, who are you most excited to see tonight?" Silly question.
"Oh come on Ryan, don't play dumb."
"I'm not," he squeaks, "There's going to be a lot of good looking girls on that runway tonight."
"That's true." I say in all honesty. "But I'm really excited to see Rose tonight. She has worked really hard to get here. I know that's she's very nervous for tonight, but there's no reason to be. She'll do great! All the girls will."
"Good answer Mike. I think she'll approve." He turns towards me and his face gets serious. "But on a more important note, do you think the Eagles can finally make it to the playoffs this year?" I knew this question would come up. It always does.
"You know Ryan, I think we have a real shot this year. The team looks great, our defense has gotten stronger since last season. We're passing the ball better and with the new coach this year, I really think the Eagles fans have something to look forward to this year." At least I hope they do.
"Well good luck this season buddy, I'm sure I'll be seeing you more and have a fun time tonight," Ryan closes with as he extends his hand and gives me a shake.
"Thanks Ryan, always good to see you," I say as I shake his hand, smile, look into the camera, and give a little wink. God, I should be in the show tonight. I can still hear all the screaming fans and reporters as I start walking into the building. I pass where George Lopez is standing and see that Kyle isn't there. Must have already went inside. I pass security at the door and walk into the lobby. There a huge bar to my right and the entrance to the runway seating to my left. The lobby had this rich, wealthy feel to it. I could see white marble around every corner, chandlers hanging from the ceiling, nice high top chairs at the bar with plasma screen TVs in the center. People who can't get into the show can watch from the bar and to my "surprise" I see Kyle ordering a drink. I make my way through the small amount of press that was inside the building and take a seat next to Kyle. I wave down the waiter and ask for a scotch on the rocks.
"Yeah, going to need something to make it through this night." Kyle said over in my direction has he took a sip of his Heineken.
"Hey, I don't think it's going to be that bad. We'll watch girls walk around in their underwear, go back stage for a bit, apparently there's some after party and back to our rooms," I respond as the waiter hands me my drink. I raise it to him as a thank you and take a sip.
"We have to go back stage and to an after party?" Kyle starts to whine. I cock my head to the left and roll my eyes. Deal with it. I look down at my watch and it's already 6 o'clock. We have an hour to kill. I look up at the TV's and see that the Giants vs. Packers game is on. Go Packers, I guess. I wouldn't want to go against the Giants in the playoff cause let's be honest, we're out then. The game is pretty close too, 23-27 Packers. Kyle and I sit there in silence for a bit sipping our drinks. I look back down at my watch and realize its 6:30. Time to get going.
"We should get going," I say as I get up from the bar, push my chair in and start to head to our seats. Kyle takes his last sip of beer, places it on the bar top, and follows me. We get to the double black doors and there's a list of all the guests and their seat number next to their name on a podium. It's in alphabetical order so I find my name and see 105, seat 5. "Where are you sitting?"
"Better be next to you," he mumbles while looking for his name. "Yup seat 4, let's go." We enter and it looks like a regular arena for a fashion show. The cat walk is stretched out in the middle and seats to the left, right, and in front of it. There's a salute of "Victoria's Secret" behind the catwalk, where the backstage is I presume. We find our seat while walking through the crowd of other celebrities and photographers. There's a lot of other big name athletes here as-well, Roger Federer, LeBron James, Steph Curry, Tom Brady, as well as other models that aren't in the show. But I don't know their names. Our seats are basically in the middle of the runway and a TV camera to the left of me and I see one across the stage basically pointed at me. "So you better clap and blow kiss to her," Kyle says pointing at the camera across the catwalk and taking his seat.
"Attention ladies and gentlemen," I hear an announcement being made for all the guests to hear, "if you can please find your seat, the 2016 Victoria's Secret Fashion will begin shortly." I take my seat and can see that Steph Curry is headed towards me.
"Hey man, good to see you," he says taking a seat next to me. He extends his right hand and I shake it.
"You too Curry," I whisper. Steph Curry of course is part of the NBA and plays for the Golden State Warriors. A lot of people consider him as the greatest shooter in NBA history, I sure do. I've gone to a couple of his games and he is amazing. Last season I've seen him at a couple of my games as well so we have a mutual ground. We've hung at other sport tournaments and charity banquets too. He doesn't have a girlfriend in the show, or one in general, but from what I was told, one of the themes in the show is "Professional Athletes". Rose told me about it a week ago. Each model was able to pick their favorite athlete and represent them through their costume. Of course she picked me. I am interested in how the costume is going to look. I'm guessing someone picked Steph. Everyone else is starting to take their seats and spot lights start to fade.
"Good evening ladies and gentleman," the announcer started to speaker again, "and welcome to the 2016 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show." On the screen behind the catwalk, the word Firework appears. I'm guessing that's the theme for this opening walk.
Now it's completely dark. Pitch black.
The catwalk lights up all the sudden and I can hear the song Irresistible by Fall Out Boy start to blare around the room.
"Here we go," Kyle whispers. Damn straight, I thought.