The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 120

Chapter 120

Chapter 120

ASTRA

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My right thigh wouldn’t stop shaking in the passenger seat of Mr. Ashton’s car. I pressed my hand down on it, but it kept bouncing.

The drive had been almost completely silent. Mr. Ashton drove with one hand on the steering wheel, calm and unhurried. My brain, meanwhile, invented every possible disaster.

“He’s firing me.”

The thought twisted my stomach. Maybe he’d found out about me and Zane. Maybe I wasn’t suitable for the twins anymore. If he fired me, I’d lose my job, my room, the only stable home I’d had in months.

My fingers tightened around my school bag strap. Where would I even go?

“Relax.”

The single word cut through my panic.

I swallowed. “I’m sorry, sir.”

“I wasn’t asking for an apology,” he said evenly. “I was advising you.”

Heat crept into my cheeks.

“I know you’re worried,” he continued without looking at me. “You’ve imagined this conversation a dozen ways since you got in the car.”

My mouth fell open. “… Was it that obvious?”

“The shaking leg was a clue.”

Mortified, I pressed harder on my thigh until it stopped.

“For what it’s worth,” he added, “you’re worrying about the wrong thing.”

My heart skipped. “I am?”

“Yes.”

I hesitated. “Am I being fired?”

One corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “No. I don’t dismiss competent people without reason. You’ve taken excellent care of Lucas and Mason. They’re happier. My wife and I have noticed.”

Relief flooded me. “Thank you, sir.”

“You’ve earned it.”

Silence settled again, less frightening this time.

Then he spoke. “The conversation I wish to have concerns my eldest son.”

Every bit of relief vanished.

Zane.

12:12 Fri, Jul 3 (

Chapter 120

Mr. Ashton drove another block before continuing. “I’ll ask you a question. I expect an honest answer.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you know why Zane ended his relationship with Maya Whitmore?”

My stomach dropped. “No, sir. He never told me why.”

“Hm.”

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The car stopped at a red light. Mr. Ashton rested one hand on the wheel. “My son has always been impulsiye. He mistakes conviction for wisdom. So I won’t ask you to explain his decisions.”

He turned just enough to meet my eyes. “I will, however, ask you to exercise better judgment than he does.”

“I… don’t understand.”

“I think you do.” His voice was quiet, certain. “I hired you because my sons needed stability. You’ve done an admirable job with the twins but professional boundaries exist for a reason.”

My fingers curled tighter around my bag.

“I don’t expect you to control Zane. That would be unrealistic but I do expect you to control yourself.”

Heat flooded my face.

“You are an intelligent young woman, Astra. You’ve worked hard. Don’t let someone else’s impulsiveness derail the future you’ve built.”

The words landed heavily. He hadn’t accused me of anything specific, yet it felt like he could see straight through me.

“I would never intentionally…”

“I know. I’ve never questioned your character.”

That only made me feel worse.

He continued calmly. “The Ashton and Whitmore families have longstanding responsibilities to one another. My eldest son has obligations. He may not appreciate them today, but one day he will.”

My chest tightened.

“You deserve the opportunity to build a life based on your own achievements. But if you begin building that life around my son… there is a very real chance you’ll be the one who gets hurt.”

The car turned into the school parking lot and shifted into park.

“I hope, for your sake, that I’m wrong.”

My heart pounded. It sounded less like a warning and more like a prediction.

“I… understand, sir.”

He nodded once. “I’m glad.”

I reached for the door. “T..thank you for the ride.”

As I stepped out, he called my name. I looked back.

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