ACCIDENTALLY BOUND TO THE ALPHA QUARTERBACK

Rosa’s Cafe smelled like coffee and warm pastries, the kind of smell that clung to your clothes long after you left.

It was the only cafe in Maplewood, the kind of place where everyone eventually passed through. Students came in after school, teachers stopped by in the mornings, and on weekends the same familiar faces filled the tables. In a town this small, there were no strangers - only people you hadn’t spoken to yet.

Ariel Carter worked part-time behind the counter.

She wore a faded apron and moved on tired feet, wiping her hands on the fabric as she restocked napkins and wiped down the counter. She had been on her shift since noon, and by late afternoon her legs ached and her smile felt practiced. Still, she stayed focused. Rosa paid well enough, and to Ariel every dollar saved was like a small promise of escape from this wretched town. Not that she’d saved much; her aunt always found a way to remind her that every dollar belonged to the house bills, not to her.

The bell above the café door rang.

Ariel glanced up automatically, already preparing the polite greeting stuck permanently on her tongue. The words died before they reached her mouth.

Zack Miller, the school quarterback, walked in.

He wasn’t alone. Andrew - his best friend - was with him, taller than most people in the room, broad-shouldered, and calm in the way Zack never was. Zack, on the other hand, entered like he owned the place - hands loose in his jacket pockets, confidence sitting on him like it had always belonged there. His dark hair was slightly messy, his posture relaxed, and his laugh carried even before he spoke.

Ariel’s stomach tightened.

She ducked her head and pretended to focus on wiping the counter, hoping they wouldn’t notice her. Hope, however, had never been on her side.

Zack scanned the cafe and immediately spotted a girl sitting alone near the window. She had long brown hair, glossy and styled, and she looked up the moment Zack’s gaze landed on her. Whatever he said to Andrew made his friend snort quietly, but Zack was already moving.

“Seats taken?” Zack asked the girl, flashing a smile that had probably worked on half the school.

The girl shook her head quickly, smiling back. “No.”

Zack and Andrew pulled out chairs and sat down without hesitation. Ariel watched from behind the counter as Zack leaned back, stretching his arm over the chair beside him like the space already belonged to him. He started talking immediately, words spilling easily, confidently.

“…and then I ran straight through the defense,” Zack said, his voice deliberately loud enough to carry. “Coach said it was one of my best games this season.”

The girl’s eyes widened. “Really?”

Ariel clenched her jaw.

She had been present at the game volunteering - handing out water and collecting equipment. She remembered every play. Every missed opportunity. Every moment Zack had almost scored, but didn’t.

Zack kept going.

“Two touchdowns,” he added casually. “Maybe three. I lost count.”

Andrew leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, lips twitching like he was holding something in.

Ariel let out a slow breath.

She grabbed her order pad and walked toward their table, her steps steady even though irritation burned under her skin. She stopped beside them, standing straight.

“What can I get you?” she asked.

Zack didn’t even look at her.

He kept talking to the girl, his voice lowering slightly, more charming now. “It’s not easy being the guy everyone expects to win.”

Ariel felt a smile tug at her lips. 

She turned her attention to the girl. “If he’s talking about last Friday’s game, I was there.”

Zack froze.

The girl looked up at Ariel, surprised. “You saw him?”

Ariel nodded. “Yeah. And I don’t remember him scoring anything.”

Silence fell over the table.

Zack turned slowly, his eyes locking onto Ariel’s face. “Excuse me?”

“I said,” Ariel continued calmly, “I don’t remember you scoring. You played well, sure. But two touchdowns?” She shrugged. “That didn’t happen.”

The girl’s expression shifted, confusion replacing admiration. “So… you lied...?”

Zack straightened. “She’s mistaken.”

Ariel met his stare, unimpressed. “I’m not.” Her hand brushed her apron pocket. “I recorded the game, actually.”

Andrew’s half-smile grew wider as he watched the exchange, clearly enjoying every second.

The girl stood, gathering her bag awkwardly. “I think I’ll… sit somewhere else.”

She didn’t wait for a response and walked away. Zack stared after her, his jaw tightening, irritation flashing across his face as the attention he’d enjoyed slipped right out of his grasp.

Ariel watched her go, her hands sliding casually into the front pocket of her apron. Satisfaction warmed her chest, small but undeniable.

She turned back to the boys and pulled out her notebook. “So,” she said evenly, “what will you boys have?”

Zack pushed his chair back roughly and stood. “Suddenly, I’m not hungry.”

He shot Ariel with a sharp look, irritation written clearly across his face. “Let’s go.”

Andrew hesitated. “Man, I could still…”

Zack grabbed his arm and pulled him up. “Now.”

Andrew sighed, already reaching into his wallet. “Vanilla milkshake to go, please.”

Ariel wrote it down without comment, though her smile returned when Andrew met her eyes and gave her a look that said worth it.

They left moments later, Zack storming out first, Andrew trailing behind with a shake in hand.

Ariel leaned against the counter as the door closed behind them.

“Wow.”

She turned to see Jenna, her classmate and bestfriend, perched on a high stool at the counter, books spread out in front of her like she’d been studying the entire time. Jenna’s raised eyebrow said otherwise.

“You’re way too happy for someone who just scared off two customers,” Jenna said.

Ariel shook her head. “No I’m not.”

Jenna sighed dramatically. “Your face says otherwise.”

Ariel smiled and lifted her hand, holding her thumb and index finger close together. “Just a little.”

Jenna laughed softly. “Why do you hate him so much? I know Zack’s a jerk most of the time, but still.”

Ariel’s smile faded.

She leaned her elbows on the counter, exhaustion settling back in as the memory surfaced. “He gave me homemade breakfast at school once. Really good. I thought he was being nice”

Jenna blinked. “That’s it?”

She swallowed. “Turns out it was from Megan.”

Jenna stiffened. “Oh.”

“They had just broken up. She made it to get him back,” Ariel said. “When I went to return the container, she saw me with it and accused me of trying to steal him.”

“And Zack?” Jenna asked.

Ariel laughed bitterly. “He said nothing. Just stood there and let her believe it.”

Jenna’s mouth tightened. “That explains a lot.”

“Since then,” Ariel said, “school’s been hell. Megan and her cheerleader friends won’t leave me alone.”

She straightened, forcing a small smile. “So yeah. Seeing Zack annoyed for once felt… fair.”

Jenna reached over and squeezed her hand. “Just be careful,” Jenna said quietly. “Zack isn’t the type to take humiliation lying down. He’ll get back at you.”

Ariel nodded, though part of her already knew it was too late.