My Bully Quarterback does not remember me.

Chapter 1

Lisa 

Six months ago.

His lips enveloped mine the way they always did, slow at first, then deeper, like he was sinking into something he couldn’t quite control.

A soft gasp slipped from me when his hands found my waist, lifting me just enough to settle me firmly on the counter. He stepped closer, fitting himself between my legs like it was the most natural thing in the world.

My fingers slid up into his hair, holding on as his kiss grew hungrier and messier, like he was losing control. Like he needed this. Like he needed me.

He pulled at my tongue, slow at first, then deeper, sucking, tasting, before shifting to my lips, catching my lower one between his teeth and biting down just enough to make a small, helpless sound slip out of me.

“Tobias…” I breathed against his mouth, my pulse racing.

He didn’t answer.

Instead, he slowed, just a little, his lips brushing mine softer now. His forehead came to rest against mine, both of us breathing the same air, uneven and warm.

For a moment, everything stilled.

His eyes flicked over my face, searching, intensely, in a way that made my chest tighten.

Then, barely above a whisper, rough and unsteady, “You make me go crazy, little witch.”

The words settled between us, heavy and real.

I felt it everywhere, in my stomach, in my heart, in between my legs, the way his hands tightened slightly at my waist, the way his breath hitched like he hadn’t meant to say it out loud.

My heart thudded hard against my ribs, each beat loud and uneven, as if it might give me away. Heavy puffs of air slipped past my lips, my breath refusing to settle no matter how hard I tried.

Tobias smiled then, that same smile he reserved only for me, soft and unguarded, dimples pressing deep into his cheeks, his eyes holding a kind of warmth that made everything else fade into nothing.

“You keep staring at me like that,” he murmured, voice low with quiet amusement, “and I won’t let you go anywhere.”

Heat rushed to my face instantly. I turned away, my cheeks burning, suddenly aware of how close he was, how easily he seemed to read me. But I barely got a second to hide before his fingers slipped beneath my chin, gentle but firm, guiding my face back toward his.

His grey eyes searched mine, slow and careful, like he still found something new in me worth studying.

“You still get nervous around me even after six months of dating?” he asked softly, the teasing edge in his voice softened by something almost fond.

I licked my lips, my gaze dropping to his chest as I fiddled with my shirt. Being this close to him always scrambled my thoughts, always made it hard to think straight. “I’m not nervous,” I said, though my voice betrayed me slightly. “I’m just—”

“You just can’t believe I’m here, with you?”

My head snapped up, eyes widening as I stared at him. “How did you know?”

He gave a small shrug, completely unbothered. “I might have peeped into your diary.”

I gasped loudly, shoving at his chest. “Tobias!”

“I know, I’m sorry,” he said quickly, though the grin tugging at his lips ruined any real apology. He lifted his hands in mock surrender. “But you never let me read anything, and it was just there… open… on my bed.”

A groan slipped out of me as I dropped my forehead against his chest, mortified. His laughter rumbled beneath my skin, deep and rich, and before I could recover, his hand slid into my hair, holding me there for a moment before pressing a soft kiss to it.

He lifted my head again, his expression shifting—less playful now, more serious.

“Whatever you feel for me, little witch,” he said quietly, his thumb brushing lightly along my jaw, “just know I feel it more. I count myself lucky that you even let me talk to you after everything I did… that you let me love you.” His voice dipped, steady but full of meaning. “I’m the lucky one. Not you. Never the other way around. Don’t forget that, okay?”

“Tobias…” My voice trailed off, my eyes stinging as emotion swelled in my chest, too big to hold in. My heart felt light and full all at once, like it might burst from how much it carried.

This—this was everything I had ever dreamed of. And the fact that it was him… Tobias… the same boy I had once watched from a distance, my small crush growing into something deeper, something impossible, it made everything feel unreal. Like I was living inside a dream I didn’t want to wake up from.

I didn’t know who I would be without him.

We lingered in that space a while longer, though words faded and touches took their place, soft laughter blending into quiet moments that said more than anything we could have spoken. Eventually, reality crept back in, and I forced myself to pull away to gather my things

I could feel his eyes on me the entire time.

“What?” I asked, glancing over at him with a shy smile as I stuffed my things into my bag.

“Do you really have to work tonight?”

“Yes, Tob,” I replied, bending down to retrieve my crocs from where he had hidden them earlier, just to keep me from leaving. “I’m working two shifts.”

“But—”

“No, Tobias. No,” I cut in, more firmly this time. I already knew where this was going. Still, he pushed on.

“You know you really don’t have to work, right?” He sat up then, and my breath caught slightly despite myself.

We had moved into his room at some point, and now he sat there shirtless, completely at ease, like he didn’t understand the effect he had on me. My eyes betrayed me, drifting over his broad shoulders, the solid lines of his torso, the quiet strength in the way he carried himself. It always took effort not to just throw myself at him.

“I could even put you on a monthly stipend,” he continued, completely serious. “If you’re not comfortable taking money outright.”

I froze mid-motion and turned to face him properly. “While that warms my heart, Tob… I’m fine. Really.”

“Well, I’m not.”

“Why not?” I asked, folding my arms slightly.

“Other than the fact that the streets aren’t safe at night?” he shot back. “And I barely even see you anymore. You’re either working late or I’m training when you’re free. We don’t get time together.”

His words settled warmly in my chest despite the frustration behind them. Every time he said he wanted to see me, it did something to me—something soft and dangerous. Because I wanted the same thing. I always did.

I just didn’t want to become something he had to carry.

Dropping my bag onto the couch, I walked back to him and climbed onto his thigh without a second thought. His hands found me instantly.

“I’ve tried cutting down my shifts at the restaurant,” I explained, looping my arms loosely around his shoulders. “I just don’t know if they’ll give me more time off.”

“Or,” he said, completely unfazed, “you could quit and become my manager.”

I laughed, tugging lightly at the hair at the back of his neck. “I have no experience.”

“We hire strictly on looks and shape. Nothing else.”

I hit him square on the chest, giggling, and he only grinned wider, pulling me closer.

“I’m serious, baby,” he added, his tone softening. “We need more time together. It’s already bad enough you want to keep this private at school—I can’t even kiss you in public. And now you’re cutting into our time alone. It’s not fair.”

The image of him, Tobias Thomas, the boy everyone admired, the one no one dared question, pouting over not seeing me enough was almost unreal. If anyone at school saw this version of him, they wouldn’t believe it.

But I did. Because this version belonged to me.

“Well,” I said, brightening suddenly, “I’m coming to watch you play tonight.”

His eyes widened instantly. “Yeah?”

I nodded, unable to hide my excitement.

“And can I kiss you when I win?” he asked quickly, leaning forward. “Lift you up, spin you around?”

A grin spread across my face. “I guess we’ll have to see if you win, won’t we?”

He leaned in, pressing a teasing kiss to my neck, and I jumped, laughing as I tried to push him away.

“I’m the best player in this town and beyond, little witch,” he murmured against my skin. “Of course I’m going to win.”

“Okay, okay,” I rushed out between laughs, squirming under his touch. “Fine. I guess I owe you a kiss after all.”

His grin returned, slow and satisfied. “That you do, beautiful.”

Then, without warning, he slapped my ass lightly.

“Now go break some bottles,” he added, leaning back like he hadn’t just completely undone me. “I’ll see you later, little witch.”

——

The restaurant I worked at was a small upscale place in the middle of town. The owner had been one of my father's closest friends and had offered me the job after my father fell ill. The pay wasn't much, but it covered his medication and the little things his insurance wouldn't.

That night, though, work felt lighter than usual.

I couldn't stop thinking about Tobias. His words, the way he'd looked at me, the warmth in his voice—they replayed in my mind until I caught myself smiling for no reason. We still hadn't told anyone we were dating. People had noticed he no longer bullied me, but no one knew the truth. Somehow, keeping it between us made it feel even more special.

"Liz, can you take table ten?" Bella called. "I can't deal with them tonight."

"Sure."

I grabbed my notepad and walked over, only to realize the customers were students from my school.

"Welcome to SIDS and Sons. What can I get for you?" I asked.

One of the girls looked me over.

"Don't you go to Clever's High?"

"I do."

Another girl smirked.

"So... did you fuck Tobias Thomas?"

The question made me freeze.

"I don't see how that's any of your business."

Laughter erupted around the table.

"Relax. I'm joking."

Before I could leave, one of the boys suddenly shoved his phone toward the others.

"Oh my God."

"No way..."

"I can't believe it."

The amusement vanished from every face.

One girl covered her mouth, tears filling her eyes.

"He literally had a game tonight..."

My heart skipped.

"Tobias?" I asked, my voice barely audible. "What happened?"

They all turned toward me.

"You didn't know?" one of them asked.

I shook my head.

She swallowed.

"Tobias... he was involved in an accident."