The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 10

Chapter 10

ASTRA

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Lucas’s small, sticky hand tugged me up the grand staircase like he was afraid I might disappear if he let go. My legs still felf shaky from the drive, but I forced them to move, one step at a time. Every creak of the polished wood under my sneakers made my shoulders tighten.

“This is our floor!” Lucas announced proudly, pushing open a door with a bright blue nameplate. “Mine and Mason’s rooms are connected by a bathroom. Cool, right?”

The room was huge, two twin beds with race–car bedding, shelves overflowing with Lego creations, action figures, and books. A giant window overlooked the backyard where I could just make out the wooden treehouse perched in an ancient oak.

“It’s amazing,” I said, my voice softer than I meant it to be. I crouched down to look at a half–built spaceship on the rug. My hands were still trembling slightly, so I clasped them together in my lap.

Mason hovered in the doorway, watching me quietly. When I glanced up, he looked away fast, but not before I caught the flicker of curiosity in his green eyes.

Lucas flopped onto his bed. “Mom said you’re going to help us with homework. I hate math. Mason’s better at it, but he never lets me copy.”

“Copying is cheating,” Mason muttered, arms crossed again. “I explain the answers. I don’t hand them over.”

I smiled despite everything. “I’m pretty good at math. We can work on it together after dinner, okay?”

Lucas’s face lit up like I’d offered him ice cream for breakfast. “Really? You’re the best already!”

The easy affection made my chest ache in a completely different way. These kids had no idea how badly I needed something soft right now.

Elira appeared in the doorway, her expression warm but watchful. “Lunch in ten minutes, boys. Wash your hands properly.” She looked at me. “You should go change out of your uniform first, Astra, You’ll be more comfortable. Join us when you’re ready.”

“Thank you,” I said quickly, grateful for the excuse to escape for a moment. “I’ll be right back.”

I hurried down the hallway to my room, the second the door clicked shut behind me, I dropped my school bag by the desk with a heavy thud. My fingers fumbled with the buttons of my Harrington Academy uniform, the crisp white blouse that always felt too tight across my chest, the plaid skirt that rode up my thick thighs no matter how much I tugged it down, and the navy blazer with the gold crest.

I stripped everything off, tossing the blouse and skirt into the laundry hamper. For tomorrow,

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Wednesday, I laid out a fresh uniform on the chair: white blouse, the same plaid skirt, and the matching navy cardigan instead of the blazer.

I pulled on a soft oversized black hoodie that swallowed my curves just enough to make me feel hidden, and a pair of stretchy dark leggings that hugged my wide hips and full thighs comfortably. Then I yanked the hair tie from my messy bun, letting my long blonde waves tumble down my back. I ran my fingers through them with a deep, shaky sigh of relief.

For one blessed minute, I wasn’t the scholarship girl or the new nanny or Zane’s target. I was just Astra.

I padded downstairs and followed the sound of voices into the sunlit dining nook off the kitchen. Lucas and Mason were already at the table. Elira sat at the head, scrolling on her phone with a focused frown.

The chef, a quiet older man in a white coat smiled politely as I entered and set a beautiful plate in front of me: grilled cheese with tomato soup, fresh fruit salad, and crispy sweet potato fries. Kid- friendly but elevated. My stomach growled loud enough that Lucas giggled.

Elira looked up, setting her phone aside. “There you are. Everything alright?”

‘Yes, ma’am,” I said, sliding into the seat between the twins. “This looks amazing.”

While we ate, Elira watched the boys with soft eyes, asking gentle questions to draw them out.

‘Lucas, how was soccer practice yesterday? Did you score?”

‘I almost did!” Lucas said through a mouthful of fries. “But Mason said my kick was too wild.”

Mason shrugged, dipping a fry into ketchup with precision.

Elira’s gaze shifted to me. “By the way, Astra, I transferred the two–thousand–dollar advance into your account this morning.”

My fork froze halfway to my mouth. My eyes widened, heart leaping so hard I felt dizzy,

‘Already?” I whispered, voice cracking with hope,

Elira nodded once. “It should be there now.”

ľ

Tears pricked the back of my eyes, That money… it would cover at least two overdue hospital bills for Mom. Not all of them, the total was crushing but it was something. A real step. Relief flooded through me so strongly my hands shook as I set my fork down.

“Thank you,” I said, voice thick. “Thank you so much. That… that helps more than you know.”

Elira just gave a small, graceful nod, like it was nothing.

We talked more, Lucas chattered about his favorite video game, Mason quietly corrected him on

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facts about dinosaurs and the meal passed in a surprisingly warm blur. When the plates were nearly empty, Elira stood.

“I have a few calls to make. I’ll be in my office if you need me.”

I rose too, nerves fluttering. “Ma’am… please, can I go out later?”

Elira raised a perfectly arched brow.

I rushed to explain. “I left my scooter with my old neighbor when I moved here. I just need to pick it up. I thought… I could use it to go to and from school on days when Zane is busy. It won’t interfere with the boys.”

Elira studied me for a moment. “When do you want to go?”

“Not too long, ma’am. I’ll wait until the boys are in bed. I promise I won’t be out late.”

She considered it, then nodded. “You can go wherever you want, Astra, as long as the boys are taken care of and you’re back before eleven. This is your home now too within reason.”

The knot in my chest loosened. “Thank you.”

As soon as Elira left the room, Lucas bounced in his seat. “You have a scooter?! That’s so cool! Can we ride it someday?”

I laughed softly. “Maybe. After I make sure it still works.”

I took another bite of grilled cheese, letting the warmth settle in my stomach. “Alright, guys. Finish up so we can do homework and then check out that treehouse you promised me.”

Both twins grinned even Mason’s was a tiny, reluctant one,

For the first time since I’d stepped into this house, something almost like hope flickered in my chest.

******

“Thank you so much, Mrs. Rivera,” I said, gripping the handlebars of my old scooter with one hand while balancing the grocery bag of clothes and books in the other.

The elderly woman stood in her doorway, leaning on her cane, her kind eyes crinkling as she looked me over. “You look better already, mija.” She tilted her head. “You have a place to stay now?”

I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips, “Yes. A good one, actually, Live–in job with a family, it’s

safe”

Mrs. Rivera studied me for a long moment, then reached out and patted my cheek with her wrinkled hand. “Good. You deserve safe, Astra. Don’t let anyone take that from you, okay? And if things go bad again, my door is always open.”

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My throat tightened. “I won’t forget that. Thank you again… for everything.”

She waved me off, eyes misty. “Go on now. Be careful on that thing at night.”

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I waved back, then started pushing the scooter down the cracked sidewalk of my old neighborhood. The familiar smell of fried food and distant music wrapped around me. For a few minutes, the weight on my shoulders felt lighter.

My phone buzzed in my hoodie pocket.

I pulled it out one–handed, heart skipping when I saw the name.

Jason:

Hey Astra, Just thinking about you. Hope your evening is better than that awkward ride home looked. Still owe me that proper conversation tomorrow? Maybe without death stares from certain quarterbacks?

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