The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 106

Chapter 106

Chapter 106

ASTRA

I was thirsty.

The digital clock on my nightstand glowed 2:47 AM. I had been tossing and turning for what felt like hours, sleep refusing to come. My mind kept replaying everything, the club, Zane’s kiss in the library, the heavy tension at dinner with Landon It was all too much.

I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes. Patches was tucked securely under my arm. I grabbed him and slipped out of bed, my thin nightgown brushing against my thighs. The mansion was always kept cool at night, and a shiver ran through me the moment I stepped into the hallway. I rubbed my bare arms, wishing I had thrown on a sweater.

Barefoot, I padded quietly down the grand staircase toward the kitchen. The house was eerily silent, only the faint hum of the AC and the occasional creak of the old mansion breaking the quiet.

In the kitchen, I set Patches gently on the marble counter and poured myself a glass of cold water from the fridge. I drank it slowly, the cool liquid soothing my dry throat. After finishing, I picked Patches back up, ready to head upstairs.

Then I heard it.

A faint but rhythmic splashing sound coming from the east wing, the direction of the indoor pool.

I frowned.

Who would be swimming at this hour?

My heart started racing. I knew I should just go back to bed. It wasn’t my business. The mansion was huge, and the Ashtons had their own routines. But curiosity and a strange, nagging feeling pulled me forward.

I walked slowly down the long hallway, bare feet silent on the cool tiled floors. The splashing grew louder as I approached the glass doors leading to the indoor pool area.

I peeked through the slightly ajar door.

It was Zane.

He was swimming furiously, cutting through the water with powerful, aggressive strokes, head underwater most of the time. His broad shoulders and back flexed with each movement, muscles glistening under the dim pool lights. Water streamed off him every time he turned at the wall and pushed off again.

He looked… angry. Or frustrated.

I stood there, hidden in the shadows, clutching Patches to my chest, unable to look away.

Zane broke the surface at the deep end, gasping for air, water cascading down his face and body. He gripped the edge of the pool for a moment, breathing hard, head bowed.

He looked exhausted.

And alone.

My heart twisted unexpectedly.

I should leave.

I should go back upstairs before he noticed me.

12:09 Fri, Jul 31

Chapter 106

But I nodded anyway.

“Goodnight,” I whispered once more.

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Then I hurried back upstairs, heart racing, wondering why I couldn’t just walk away from him like I should.

Once I was back in my room, I closed the door and leaned against it for a moment, trying to calm my breathing. Then climbed back into bed, pulling the covers over myself.

But sleep didn’t come easily.

I tossed and turned for what felt like hours, my mind replaying the pool and the brief flash of vulnerability I’d seen in Zane’s eyes. It was so unlike the Zane Ashton I knew.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him cutting through the water like he was fighting something invisible.

Eventually, exhaustion won. I drifted off into a restless sleep, clutching Patches like a lifeline.

Friday Morning

I woke up early, like always.

The routine was familiar now, wake the twins, help them get ready, make sure they ate breakfast, and see them off to the school bus. I moved through it quietly, still tired from the night before.

“Morning, Astra!” Lucas said brightly as I helped him with his uniform.

“Morning, sweetie,” I replied, forcing a smile. “Did you sleep well?”

Mason was already dressed and eating his cereal when we got downstairs. The three of us sat together at the kitchen island, chatting about their plans for the day. The normalcy helped calm my nerves a little.

When the school bus horn sounded outside, I handed them their lunch boxes and hugged them both tightly.

“Have a good day,” I said, waving as they ran out.

The house felt quieter once they were gone.

I went back upstairs to grab my own school bag, mind already drifting to the day ahead. But as I passed Zane’s room, I noticed the door was slightly ajar.

And I heard voices, soft ones.

I hesitated, telling myself it was none of my business. But curiosity and a strange worry got the better of me. I stepped closer and peeked through the gap.

Elira was sitting on the edge of Zane’s bed.

He was still in bed, not dressed for school, just in a simple black t-shirt, covers pulled up to his waist. He looked pale, and tired. Elira was gently stroking his hair, checking his forehead like she was feeling for a fever.

“Sorry, baby,” she murmured softly. “I know you don’t feel well. You don’t have to go in today if you’re not up to it.”

Zane didn’t say anything. He just lay there, eyes half-closed, letting his mother fuss over him.

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