Kaya POV 

They say heartbreak makes you stronger, whoever said that never had to build a robot from scratch.

It takes a few sleepless nights and a whole lot of coffee, but I get it done, and I complete my design.

A hyper-realistic robot stands in front of me, Tom 2.0, six foot four, shoulders like a linebacker carved from steel and synth-skin, messy brown hair, and a chiseled jaw that could stop traffic.

He opens his eyes when he senses me. "Welcome back, Sweetheart," his voice says softly and smoothly

My cheeks tint pink at the sudden compliment and then I remember I programmed him to do exactly like that.

I shake my head trying to concentrate, "Run diagnostics," I order, ignoring the way my pulse skips every time he speaks.

He closes his eyes. "All systems are nominal. Training module ready."

I swallow hard. Because this isn't just code or metal. Tom 2.0 is my revenge weapon, built to destroy Tom where it matters most on the field and in his pride.

"Tom 2.0, what is your mission?" I lean on the table, my glasses hovering over my eyes.

He blinks, his blue eyes seem to be drilling into my soul, "I have several missions Kaya, which would you want me to review?" 

My heart thumps in my chest, it's hard to believe this is a robot, his smooth voice scratches my heart, it almost feels like meeting a new man.

I lean back, taking a few steps forward, "List all missions" I order 

"First mission, to destroy Tom Whinley on the field"

"Second mission to make Tom Whinley jealous by making you my girlfriend" his eyes turn to me, blinking once.

He stares at me, like he is trying to read my soul or my brain.

I shake my head, stepping back, "We are going to go on a test drive Tom 2.0...a dinner" I turn around to my table packing up the last of my documents

"From henceforth, you will be Flynn Fetcher, hot, charming, charismatic, and the best football star to grace this planet" I remove my lab coat turning back to him, "I will send you the details, prepare" I turn around about to leave but the sound of his voice stops me.

"Dress sexy Kaya, you will have the room spinning" This cool voice sends shivers down my spine

I frown, turning to him. I want to be worried about my programming. Anything and everything could go wrong with this but I have to trust my guts and my skills.

I say nothing leaving to dress up, he's right, if we are going to test run this, then we have to do it properly.

I stand outside of the mansion, I had given Tom 2.0 the coordinates and the exact mission for today, The cold air blasts my skin, and goosebumps appear

I turn to the time, we were to meet at 7:30, and it's 7:20 with no signs of him.

"Did I program him wrong? What if he's out there killing people?"

Anxiety grips me by the throat and before I can officially start panicking I hear the drum of an engine.

The sound attracts me to the entrance of the mansion and the color of the car catches my eye first. 

My heart stops as the red sports car comes to a stop at me.

"Where in the hell did you get this?" I whisper-yell yell pulling open the door before he can open it

"You should have let me open the door for you, that's part of my programming, remember?" his fingers clutch the car steering, he turns to me, a smile shamelessly displayed on his face

"F that.. Where did you get the car? I didn't program you to steal" I click the seat belt and he clicks on the glass pedal throttling us forward 

"But you built a smart robot... and, the Bitcoin market is too easy to slip into" he sends me a side smirk the car speeding up

For the first time, I notice his clothes, his sculpted body is now covered in a black and white tux, a bow tie wrapped around his neck.

"You hacked it? That's unbelievable... What else can you do? I turn to him, my brows scrunch in a frown.

I guess I have to keep you guessing" The car comes to a stop and for the first time I look outside and realize we are at the location.

He's swift, but careful, and he pulls open my door allowing me to step out.

The red dress I wore clings to my skin, the rest flowing on the floor, his eyes follow my every move and the door closes with a bang.

"You look outstanding Kaya" he winks circling my arm. He leads me into the restaurant and I watch the crowd's reaction.

He interacts with the waiter really well and we are escorted to our seat, Nobody turns to look at him weirdly, only adoration and hung jaws are on the floor.

"A private booth please," I tell the staff and we are led into the private booth.

"He swiftly makes our orders and turns back to me, "Should I activate small talk for dinner or a long conversation about our interests and career?" he blinks at me

At this moment it reminds me I am out with a robot, I want to reply but the loud sound of laughter catches my ears.

"Tom" my head snaps up at the sound, my eyes scan the room from the private booth and they land on Tom and Riley.

I want to feel anger at his betrayal, I want to go over there, smack his face, and make sure he knows he hurt me but I don't. His revenge is sitting right in front of me.

My eyes fill with hurt and I turn back to concentrate on my table just as Riley and Tom pull out an engagement cake, celebrating loudly for everyone to hear and see. I cast my eyes down at the table, not allowing my tears to fall but something strange happens.

Tom 2.0 tilts his head, almost... thoughtful.

"Kaya," he says softly, "are you... all right?"

I frown, It's impossible, his programming doesn't include empathy.

I stiffen. "Run diagnostics again," I snap, covering the sudden shake in my voice.

He pauses, then answers in a perfect calm voice, "All systems nominal."

I force a nod and turn away from him, but for the first time since this plan began tonight, fear curls cold under my ribs.

Because I didn't program him to care.

Kaya POV

The next morning, the stadium hums like a living creature, stadium lights buzzing, turf freshly painted, and banners already hung with Tom's name in bold letters.

Captain Thomas..

America's golden boy.

My ex-husband.

I pull on the cuff of my T-shirt, heat prickling at the back of my neck, not from my nerves. Not exactly.

Today is the day Tom 2.0 joins the team, aka, Flynn Fletcher, and he is here to cause chaos

I pull on my T-shirt again. I requested that my father give me a job as the coach's assistant, just so my revenge plan can go smoothly and I can get a closer look at things up close.

My fingers slide across my phone screen sending the instructions to the team's acting CEO

"Introduce the new Teammate" the message reads.

I grab the pile of towels in my hand and head towards the open stadium where the team members are practicing.

Tom is in the middle of it all, digging out instructions and shouting at everyone that can hear him, and right at the bottom of the bleachers is Riley, her lab coat around her body as she cheers him on

She sends him an air kiss and he happily catches it. My heart bleeds more at their open display of love.

Tom never did that with me, in fact, he wanted me out of the way, he never wanted me at his games or wearing his number as his wife. Now I can see why.

The sound of the whistle pulls me out of my thoughts and I watch as Coach Harriman pulls the team aside.

I walk towards them, just so I can hear everything and it seems Riley has the same idea as me.

"Get out of my way loser" she bumps me, pushing me out of the way to reach the grass first.

"Today we will be introducing a new teammate," the coach starts causing confusion to fill the players' faces, especially Tom.

A ripple of uneasy laughter spreads through the players, then dies when they see he is not smiling

"Oh right, there he is" he turns around and right at the entrance, hair swoops down his head, blue eyes glinting in the bright sun, his sculpted body is exposed, and a sheen of sweat glints off his abs, his shoulder pads are strapped to him, and the football pants?

The pants wrap around his bottom so good that I could hear the cheerleaders screech from the side at his appearance

A smirk graces my lips, even though my heart is pounding like it's about to jump out of my chest. Will he get this right? 

His lips pull into a charming smile and a glorious Southern accent I don't remember coding fills our ears, "Hello everyone, I am Flynn Fetcher, the new Team captain" he stops stretching his hand forward specifically to Tom

I want to laugh, to jump, and to celebrate, I mean, the robot is good, that alone is enough to get Tom riled up 

"What do you mean Team Captain?" Tom grunts, he turns to the coach with narrowed eyes 

The coach lifts his hands in surrender, "Order from above man, but he is not the only captain" he warns stopping Tom before a fight can break out

"Yeah, you shouldn't be scared Tommy" Flynn winks, stepping back with a smirk.

"The name is Thomas..and it's Captain Thomas to you" he grits out, "What's going on Coach? A team can't have two captains" 

"You both will co-captain this Team and will now be actively competing for the position of Team captain" The coach clears everyone.

"Startubg today, it's Flynn versus Thomas" he blows his whistle, "Now let's get down to practice" He adds before Tom can crash out more than he already is.

That's right Tom, I smirk watching the entire interaction, "I will take your dream from you, snatch it right under your nose." I repeat to myself turning my eyes away from Tom

Flynn turns to me, a side look, a cunning smirk, and a sparkle in his eyes that screams, I will make you proud

My heart comes to a stop at his look, he sends me his signature wink, and runs into the field

I turn back to Tom who has called Riley to the side, and they speak with hushed tones but I only want to laugh. Riley has no real power here, and this will ultimately cause issues in their relationship

"Just perfect" I mutter to myself 

I don't know what Riley tells Tom, but his face turns red, he walks toward Coach and his voice is so loud, everyone stops to watch 

"I am not going to accept this, I signed a damn contract, I am the best, nobody even knows this unknown boy toy" he snaps at Flynn

He smirks, his expression unchanging. And God it pisses Tom off.

"A challenge right now!" Tom grabs his helmet, placing it around his head.

Coach Harriman clears his throat, stepping in before Tom can spit back more venom.

Tom snaps, turning away. "Let's see what your boy toy can do."

Flynn smirks and I can see him rebooting. Physically getting ready to crush Tom.

"This is going to be good" I hear Riley mutter to the cheerleaders, a smirk on her lips and arms crossed over the other.

We gather near the 20-yard line. Receivers line up, curious and tense.

Flynn steps forward, movements fluid, almost graceful.

"Ready?" Coach calls, clipboard trembling slightly in his hand and I wonder why he is nervous.. Maybe he doesn't want some testosterone-inducing fight to break out but he continues 

"Yes, Coach," he replies, voice calm but with an edge of something... almost human.

The whistle blows.

From the first play, the difference between Flynn and Tom is undeniable.

Flynn grips the ball. The receivers sprint.

One flick of his arm, and the ball cuts through the air, a perfect spiral, landing squarely in the receiver's chest thirty yards away.

Gasps ripple down the field. Even the defensive line whistles under their breath and Tom's face tightens at the impressive move.

Flynn throws again. And again. Each pass is sharper, faster, and uncannily precise. The team can't help but stare.

Tom rips off his helmet, anger boiling in his veins and I almost think he wants to attack Flynn, but he turns his eyes away from him spotting me in the crowd.

"You!!" he yells matching towards me 

"What the hell are you doing here you gold digger?" he snaps transferring his aggression

"She's the bad luck honey, you have been doing food all day and then she appears" Riley mumbles beside him

"You shouldn't be here, I told you to leave me alone, we are divorced and I want nothing to do with you" he takes a threatening step towards me

I want to say some to defend myself, but the coach cuts me off, "She works here now as my assistant Tom, lay off her" he blinks, not wanting to hurt his star athlete's feelings

"I will make sure you get fired from this Job, you won't get any job after this in this city, and I will make sure you are nowhere near my fiancé!" Riley mocks beside him

"Get security to throw out this gold digger!!" Tom yells over at the security guard

Before I can respond, Flynn strides toward me, grass crunching under his sneakers.

His eyes lock on mine, no code, no program, just pure heat.

Before I can ask what he's doing, his hand curls around my waist and he kisses me.

For a split second, my brain screams, I didn't program this.

But I did tell him to humiliate Tom, to take everything Tom cared about.

And now, in front of the entire team, he's doing exactly that.

So instead of pulling back, I kiss him back.

Flynn  pulls away just enough for his voice to carry "Since everyone's wondering," he says, calm as ever, arm around me, "Kaya and I are together."

The field goes dead silent.

Kaya POV

The air feels charged, like static when I would work all night in labs, as Flynn's words echo over the field, his arm rests around my waist like it belongs there."Kaya and I are together." he repeats again

My heart thuds so loud it almost drowns out the stunned silence that follows.

I didn't exactly program this part, not exactly. And the fact I didn't rattle something in my chest but I'd rather pretend it isn't there.

Tom freezes,  his fingers clench so tight around his helmet that his knuckles turn pale. Riley's red lips part, her hand clutching Tom's arm like she's worried he might actually charge across the grass.

Around us, the rest of the team stares openly, helmets still in hand, sweat dripping as they look from Flynn to me and back again.

Flynn stays perfectly calm, gaze steady. "I'll repeat it," he says, voice carrying just enough. "We're together, so no one" he turns his eyes to Tom, dark and different from the dinner before, "should dare say a word to her"

The words ripple through the players, their shoulders shifts and some exchanging glances.

My pulse spikes so high it almost hurts.

Tom's jaw works, opens, then slams shut again before the words finally come out, low and sharp. "You've got to be kidding me. You think parading this guy around makes you look strong?"

Flynn leans in slightly, voice smooth but edged. "Funny," he says. "From where I'm standing, it just makes you look nervous."

Tom's breath comes faster, chest rising and falling as anger cause his muscles to tighten underneath his shirt

Before it can get worse, Coach's voice slices through. "Enough!" he barks, eyes flicking from Tom to Flynn, then landing on me with a look that feels almost curious. "Back in line. We've got work to do."

Flynn's hand drops from my waist. The brush of cold air where his warmth had been almost makes me flinch. I wonder stupidly if he felt it too.

Tom stomps back toward his squad, Riley hurrying after him, as usual,she's securing her meal ticket. Flynn stays a beat longer, gaze softening. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," I say too quickly, my voice thinner than I want.

His smirk eases into something gentler. "Stay close. This part's going to be fun."

Then he jogs away, helmet tucked under his arm, sweat catching the light on his forearms. And for a moment, I almost forget he's meant to be nothing more than my codes.

The whistle blasts, and the scrimmage kicks off.

Tom charges into the first play like a man trying to crush something underfoot. He shouts too loudly, throws too hard, passes just off-target. The frustration shows in every sharp gesture, every glare tossed at his teammates who flinch back.

Flynn, by contrast, is... smooth. He calls short, calm directions, barely louder than a normal speaking voice and somehow the team moves around him like they've trained together for months. His passes arc clean and fall into waiting hands, and every small success sparks an energy that Tom can't seem to replicate.

Every time Flynn scores, Tom's gaze snaps toward me, like he blames me for every point. Riley hovers close to Tom, whispering, but he jerks away from her, sweat flying.

Near the end, the score isn't even close.

Flynn's squad huddles around him, their backslaps and helmet tapping. Even Coach's frown eases, scribbling quick notes on his clipboard like he's taking notes from Flynn. My smirk deepens at that but I hide it immediately.

On the final play, Flynn steps back, flicks his wrist, and the ball soars, spinning once, twice, before landing right in the receiver's arms at the edge of the end zone.

Cheers break from the sidelines, cheerleaders yell out forFlynn crazily, louder than they have ever cheered for Tom. Even a couple of Tom's own teammates clap quietly

Tom rips his helmet off, his hair plastered to his forehead, his glare dark as they follow Flynn cheering.

Flynn jogs back toward me, his grin relaxed, and fake sweat darkening his collar. His eyes lock on mine first, like he's waiting for something.

"You were good," I manage, words coming out softer than I'd planned.

"We were," he says, teasing back. "This is just the start."

"Just the start?" I echo, pulse still racing.

His grin sharpens. "Next time, we will go bigger."

Before I can ask what he means, Tom storms up, shoulders tight, breath ragged. "Enjoy it," he spits, voice edged with venom. "One lucky day doesn't make you captain."

Flynn tilts his head, smirks unfazed. "We'll see."

Tom turns to me then, voice dropping low. "And you really think standing beside him changes what you are?"

My throat closes, but before I can speak, Flynn shifts closer, not touching me, but close enough that I feel the heat of him.

"Careful," Flynn says, voice so low it feels like gravel under velvet.

Tom's eyes narrow, but Coach's voice slices in again. "Tom! Flynn! Locker room, now!"

Flynn leans down before he turns, so close the scent of turf and sweat and warm skin curls around me. "You handled that," he murmurs, something like approval in his tone.

I swallow, words sticking. "You're impossible," I manage.

"Maybe," he chuckles, soft enough that only I hear. "But it worked."

As he pulls away, his eyes catch mine a half-second longer than necessary, heat sparking down my spine.

The rest of the team drifts back toward the tunnel. Whispers fill the echoing space, some are teasing, some curious, some sharp. Riley's gaze skims over me, head tilting just slightly, as if weighing something ready to strike as usual.

Flynn starts to turn away, grin softening, but stops his expression flickers, the smirk slipping. "Kaya," he says, voice suddenly lower, his eyes spin blinking only black for a moment.

My heart sinks as I immediately think he's about to start malfunctioning and everyone will catch us on our lie.

But he blinks, his normal eye colors reload and his voice is almost uncertain. "Why does your voice sound familiar?"

My breath catches, confusion spreading through my chest. But before I can answer, Coach's shout cuts through, and Flynn jogs off, helmet swinging under his arm like nothing happened.

I stand frozen on the edge of the field, my clipboard heavy in my hands and heart pounding so loud it drowns everything else out.

"What the fuck just happened?"