Offside Desires: A four part sports romance

KAYA POV

"Watching your husband announce his engagement to another woman while you're still married to him is a special kind of hell I wouldn't wish on anyone."

And the words, "Kaya Williams, you are such a fool." echoes in my head

The words repeat in my head over and over again. My eyes scan the room, reporters sticking microphones in his face, yelling question after question.

"Alright, everyone. Let's settle down before this goes out of control." Tom smiles at the crowd; through the throng of people, his eyes land on mine.

With disgust, annoyance, and a roll of his eyes, he turns back to the woman beside him, arms wrapped around Tom like he's the price.

"I want to officially introduce everyone to my new fiancée, Riley Williams" he stretches her name, his eyes not leaving mine.

The betrayal stings, and my heart breaks more than I thought it could when they first walked into the room.

"New fiance" my mind grinds at the words, here I am, his wife of seven years, the woman who gave up her entire life for him, I helped him with his football career, with my brains and physics and with me by his side, he always made a goal, I always made sure of it.

And today, just as he is about to hit it big, signs into the Lions football team, he betrays me.. For her?

The team's doctor and the woman masquerading as me.

My heart aches, but my fingers clench into my palm, my face turning pink, the tears fall from my eyes but my anger is worse.

Tom thinks I'm just some orphaned girl with no money, replaceable, after all the years of giving him my love, being his faithful wife, protecting him from my uncle and father's wrath, defending him anytime they tried to drag me home to my birthright

And today? He betrays me.

"And yeah, everyone that's Kaya, my now ex-wife" he steps forward the crowd parting to me exposing my tear-stricken face to the cameras.

Everyone holds their breath as he walks towards me, a pile of paper in his hands, he smirks, cold and brutal.

"No hurt feelings I hope Kaya, I guess it was just never meant to be" his eyes twinkle under the flashing cameras.

"Here you should sign these and right before I get back to the house, your bags should be packed and ready to go" he smirks, raising the pile of paper in his hands.

"Tom-" I manage to crack out his name, my lips shaking and my heart sinking deeper than the ocean.

He laughs, the deep sound I used to enjoy so much but now turned to me in mockery.

"Don't bother now Kaya, don't beg, I can't accept a low life like you Kaya, I am now a major football star, with the best woman on my arm" he turns around to Riley, her arms crossed over her body. A sly smile on her lips

He sends her a wink and turns back to me, his lip pulls into a wide smile and before I can love, the pile of paper is slammed in my face.

I feel a sharp cut on my cheek as they flutter to the floor, the cameras capturing every moment as he abandons his wife, divorces her, and leaves her for a "better" woman

He steps back, A snarky smile still on his lips, "You should go, don't let the door hit you on your way out"

He turns around and just like that I melt into the crowd, Everyone watches on, flashing their camera at the drama as he heads to the table, Riley by his side, they start with the signing ceremony.

I stand there left to pick up the pieces, I glance down at the piece of paper to see it's our divorce, bitterness fills me at the betrayal.

It stings more because I defended and believed in him much more than his own convincing mother, I was always there for him, I picked up the pieces anytime he failed, I worked numerous jobs to keep our home afloat, and I kept myself away from my luxury to be with him.

And this is how I'm paid?

I grab the piece of paper tightly in my grasp and turn around.

He wants me gone?

Alright

But Tom Whinely, this will not be the last you hear from me.

The drive back to the house is smooth, I still don't let the tears fall, I hold them back as my mind comes up with different ways to go about this.

The car comes to a stop in front of the apartment block, the old building we were about to move out of, and into the luxurious penthouses they gift the top players.

I slam the door behind me and sit right in the living room with my bags already packed right beside her is Tom's mother.

I breathe hard, her blonde hair shining in the morning sun.

"Urgggh, thank God you're here, I've been starving" she whines standing up, throwing the magazine she was glancing through on the couch, She smiles at me like she and her son did not just con me.

"Oh right, you're no longer our maid" she giggles stepping past my bags, "I'm guessing you have signed the divorce papers then?" She turns to the paper still in my grasp.

"You are going to regret this" I snap, my eyes narrowed at her

She steps back, her hand on her chest as she pants briefly, "Oh oh, I'm so scared" she mocks, laughing right after, "What can poor old Kaya do?" she laughs again like I'm some sick joke.

"Sign the divorce papers and leave my son alone, I am tired of you leeching off him" She takes a threatening step towards me, eyes wide.

"Me leach off him?" My frown deepens, "I am the one who has been helping him all these years, I've been on Tom and you beck and call for years!" My voice rise as I step closer to her

She huffs rolling her eyes, "Well now we have someone better, someone bigger, the heiress of the Williams group, the same football team Tom is now signed to" Her voice booms across the apartment

"Does that ring any bells?" she smirks

"Soon my son, Tom will marry her and they will be the ultimate power couple, the football prince and his heiress" she sings songs with a wide smile, turning to me the smile fades

"Now sign it or else-" she narrows her eyes at me.

Kaya POV

My heart pounds hard in my chest, not just sadness plastered on my face but anger as well.

This family has no idea what is about to hit them, and I will hit them hard.

A smile crawls up my lips, it's enough to shock her, she lifts her eyebrows at me, "Well I'm waiting. Do it now!" she yells back at me

I shrug placing the paper on the side table, I quickly sign and hand her the piece of paper, "There, but don't come crawling back to me" I shake my head sadly

She laughs, "A lowlife like you? A starving woman we took off the streets?" She continues walking back to the couch

I roll my eyes grabbing the hilt of my bag.

"Stop!!" she yells just as I turn my back

I freeze just as the door opens, Tom and his swooping brown hair walk in, his blue eyes twinkling with happiness as the woman on his arm giggles at his stupid joke.

His face changes as soon as they land on me, "You are still here" he narrows his eyes

"Of course the bitch is still here, she's trying to leech off you honey". Riley's perky voice fills my ears first.

"The ring!" Tom's mother yells from behind, "You have to return the wedding ring, that was a family heirloom" She blocks my view soon, Tom and Riley standing behind with snarky smiles

I look down at the ring, he had proposed to me in the park, I had always wanted a proposal like that under the rain and he made my dreams come true.

And now he snatches it right under my feet. "FINE" I yell, pulling off the ring, I walk past his mother, the bags dragging behind me, "Here Tom, I hope you don't live to regret this moment" I slam the ring on his chest.

"And the family car key" Tom's mom continues

I drop the key on the table slamming the door behind their backs, they probably think I have nowhere else to go, no job, no money, and no car.

My fingers slide across my phone screen as I try to reach my uncle.

His face pops up on the screen, his grey beard rising with a smile. "Hello my pumpkin, how are you?" he quips and before I can answer, he turns the camera to my uncle, a golf club in his hand, and a span of green behind them.

"Your uncle and I are at the private golf course, meet us there?" He lifts a brow at me.

I hide the tears in my eyes, "Yes Daddy, please send a car for me" I reply immediately sliding into the elevator.

"See you in a bit pumpkin" he quips before the call ends.

A few minutes later, an exotic car parks right in front of me, I slide into the car and the driver takes me to the golf course

My arms wrap around my body as the cool breeze gusts against my skin, I spot my father and uncle far away and I send them a wave.

As I walk towards them I spot my reflection, long dark hair and bright brown eyes will best describe me, but I guess that was not enough for Tom as he has a blonde hanging from his arm now.

"Hey pumpkin, we are glad you are here, How is that bum of your husband?" My uncle welcomes me first, pulling me into a hug.

The tears finally fall, in the arms of the two people I trust the most, the only family I've known since I was born as both their wives died in a terrible accident just a few months after I was born.

"Oh pumpkin, what's wrong?" My father pulls me into his arms as well and my body shakes with tears, shaking heavily at the question

"What did that fool Tom do?" my uncle ask behind me, his voice gruff

"Did he hurt you?" My dad adds roughly pulling me back to scan my face.

"He betrayed me, Dad!!" I cry out, "He dumped me for another woman"

"Do I have to call my men?" my uncle snaps from behind me, his voice tinted with anger

I shake my head, my lips breaking out in a slight smile, "Don't worry uncle, I will deal with Tom myself" I shake my head.

He nods, " How about we drive you home, It's been a while since we had dinner together"

I nod, "I have to grab some things from the football club first"

"We will drive you" My dad perks up and they lead me to the car.

The drive to the club is short and soon I'm alone in the locker room, my fingers clutching the last of my belongings in Tom's locker.

I hug holding the bag to my chest, "Tom whinely you will regret even betraying me" I mutter the words to myself.

The car park is empty except for my uncle resting on the black SUV.

I wave at him when a hand grips my wrist, almost throwing me to the floor. I stumble and catch myself turning my eyes to my assailant.

"Riley" I narrow my eyes at her prim and proper form

She smirks, her eyes moving to my uncle behind me, "Oh this is good, so you've been cheating on Tom this entire time?" she laughs her brows raised

"And with an old man, a sugar daddy?" she laughs, her voice vibrating in my ears.

I ignore her, spinning around to leave but she grabs me by my hair. I grip her wrist and throw her off me, shocking her.

Her eyes narrow, "How dare you come here and try to assault me Kaya!!" she cries out, her lips shaky.

"You come here to my father's club and especially with your sugar daddy...Have some shame Kaya" she rolls her eyes crossing her arms over the other. She takes a threatening step towards me.

"Stay off my turf, Kaya...Tom now belongs to me, we will get married and we will live happily ever after" Her voice turns cold, every sound bleeding with boldness

I roll my eyes, "If he did what he did to me Riley, imagine what he will do to you" I snap turning around, my ponytail whips her face.

I hear her huff right before u slip into the car

"Are you okay?" my uncle lifts a brow at me

"I will be fine Uncle" I send him a soft smile signifying we should leave.

"You know, your uncle just upgraded his lab, you should check it out, I know you loved working in his lab so much pumpkin," My dad says next to me

"Yes Kaya, do you still specialize in robotics? Being with that boy so long has not dulled your brain right?" my uncle laughs from the front seat

I shake my head, "I will visit the lab tonight uncle, just get me a key card and I will be there"

He nods and soon my home fills my vision, it's bigger than anything Tom will ever see or experience in his life.

"I'm glad I left him behind, he would have been a complete gold digger" I shake my head as the maid greets me at the door.

"Welcome back Miss Kaya" They bow slightly, taking my bags.

"I'm glad you see sense now Kaya, have a shower, wear some nice clothes and we can have dinner" my father ushers me up the stairs.

The night is unforgettable, just like it used to be, my father, uncle, and I. We have dinner and we discuss what will happen going forward.

"I think you should run the club," My uncle says next to me as we slide into the elevator of his new lab

The building is highly futuristic, and high tech, everything seems like we are in 3045

"Now yet uncle, there are other jobs I want to explore first before taking the mantle from my father" I lift a brow at him

The doors part open and we are immersed in a semi-dark room, blue and purple strobing lights, and glass rooms that scream high tech.

"Woah uncle this is impressive" I walk further into the room and right at the end is a line of robots on the wall.

They look interestingly realistic, "These could fool anyone, What type of skins are they" I turn to him, my eyes fading back to the wall of robots

I count 5 in total, my mouth still open in shock

"They were quite expensive Kaya, but we have not been able to get them to work the way we want them to" he sends me a side look

"That's where you come in" he bumps me slightly with his shoulder, his other hand revealing a lab coat.

"I want to welcome you to Williams Tech as the head engineer and scientist for the robotics theme, if it pleases you" he lifts a brow at me, waiting for an answer

I turn to the robots and just like that something clicks.

My revenge.

A smirk graces my lips, I know how to destroy Tom.

I will have to build the perfect quarterback star.

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.