OFF THE RECORD TYLA X MALE READER

Thirty teams passed.

Ace Brown was the most explosive scorer in collegiate basketball, averaging an absolute bucket-getting 31.4 points a game at St. John's. But on draft night, thirty franchises looked at his size, questioned his defensive lateral quickness, and explicitly walked away. Selected thirty-first overall-the absolute first pick of the second round-Ace arrives at the New York Knicks with a non-guaranteed hustle contract, an icy, stone-faced composure, and a permanent scar. Wearing jersey number #31 as a daily reminder of every team that passed on him, Ace has no interest in making friends, learning under veteran wings, or playing nice for the media. He's in Manhattan for a singular, unshakeable reason: to make thirty front offices regret the day they passed on his name.

The whole world is watching.

Thousands of miles away, South African pop-R&B sensation Tyla is navigating the dizzying, brilliant peak of global stardom. She is monumentally successful, safe in her lane, and entirely alone. As she prepares to touch down in New York City for a massive, high-profile summer media blitz-spanning Vogue cover shoots, global fashion campaigns, and festival headliners-the press is utterly obsessed with her personal life. But in a industry driven by superficial clout, strategic networking, and fake smiles, Tyla is exhausted by the noise. Guided by her mother's warning to find someone grounded who doesn't care about the flashing lenses, she refuses to play the Hollywood dating game.