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 my hands as I fiddled with my fingers. 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 an upscale place tucked into the middle part of town. The owner was an old friend of my father’s, and he had given me the job not long after my father fell ill, claiming it was his way of repaying all my father had done for him over the years.

The pay wasn’t great, barely enough most weeks—but it was something. With it, I managed. I visited my father every week, paid for his medication, and sat beside him pretending everything was going to be okay. His small insurance covered a bed in the hospital, but everything else rested on me.

Still, that night, none of it felt heavy.

Throughout my shift, I couldn’t stop smiling.

Tobias’ words lingered in my head, replaying like a song I didn’t want to end. The way he had looked at me, the way he had said those things, like he meant every word—filled me with something warm and dizzying. Every moment we spent together carried me through the day.

It almost didn’t make sense.

The same boy who had once made my life miserable, who had been nothing but a thorn in my flesh with all the teasing and cruelty, had become this… this person who held me like I mattered. It made me want to scream it to the world.

But I hadn’t told anyone.

No one knew we were dating.

People had noticed the change. Tobias had stopped picking on me, and in some classes, he insisted I sit beside him. That alone sparked whispers. But dating? No one would ever guess. And somehow, that made it better.

This was ours.

Something no one else could touch.

“Liz, darling, can you help me take table ten? Bunch of rude kids and I really do not have their energy today.”

Bella’s voice pulled me back. I glanced at her tired face and smiled, wiping my hands on the towel. “I’ve got it.”

I grabbed my notepad and headed over, my steps light—until I saw them.

Kids from my school.

A groan rose in my throat, but I swallowed it. Some came here for food. Most came to judge, to remind themselves where they stood. And this group? Definitely not here for the food.

I straightened, wiped my palms on my apron, and forced on a polite smile.

They didn’t look up.

All of them were glued to their phones. I waited, then cleared my throat.

That got their attention.

“Hi,” I said evenly. “Welcome to SIDS and Sons. What can we offer you?”

I met each of their eyes, refusing to look intimidated.

They didn’t hide their expressions.

Disgust. Amusement.

“Don’t you go to Clever’s High?” one girl asked, scanning me.

“I do. What can I offer—”

“Did you fuck Tobias?”

The question hit so suddenly I froze.

“Excuse me?”

Snickers broke out around the table.

“Did you perhaps fuck Tobias Thomas, the quarterback?” she repeated, slower like I was dumb.

My grip tightened on my notepad. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”

She blinked, then burst out laughing. The others followed.

“Relax,” she said, waving it off. “I’m just kidding.”

I pressed my lips together, swallowing the anger burning in my throat.

“If you don’t have anything to order, I’ll like to take my leave—”

“Oh my God, check this out!”

One of the boys shoved his phone toward his friend. I shifted impatiently.

“That can’t be real,” one girl gasped.

Another girl, one I vaguely recognized, covered her mouth, her eyes filling with tears.

“Excuse me,” I tried again.

“I can’t believe it,” the crying girl said, her voice breaking. “He literally had a game tonight.”

I exhaled, rubbing my forehead.

“Do you think he’ll be okay?” the boy asked, worry replacing his earlier arrogance.

“Oh my God… Tobias…” the crying girl whispered.

Everything inside me stilled.

His name cut through everything.

“Excuse me,” I said again, my voice hoarse now. “Did you say… Tobias? What-- what happened to him?”

They exchanged looks before turning back to me.

“You didn’t know?” she asked.

My fingers curled into my apron. “Know what?” I whispered.

She hesitated.

“Tobias… he…” her voice wavered, “he was involved in an accident.”