The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 134

Chapter 134

ASTRA

I gripped my fork tighter.

M

For a moment, neither of us moved.

The kitchen felt far too quiet after the twins had left. The ticking wall clock suddenly seemed impossibly loud.

“I have to eat,” I said, keeping my eyes on my plate.

Zane didn’t answer immediately.

Silence stretched between us.

“You’ve barely looked at me.”

I cut a piece of toast I had no intention of eating.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

A chair scraped softly across the floor.

He sat down across the island from me.

“I don’t remember asking what was a good idea.”

“I know.”

The words came out smaller than I intended.

I forced myself to take a bite.

It tasted like nothing.

Neither of us spoke again.

A few minutes later, footsteps echoed from the hallway.

One of the house staff entered the kitchen.

“Young Master, your car is ready.”

He nodded once.

The staff member turned to me.

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“Miss Astra, your scooter is still being repaired. Mr. Ashton instructed us that you are to ride to school with Young Master Zane.”

I set my untouched breakfast aside and quietly followed Zane out of the kitchen.

The morning air was crisp as we stepped beneath the front portico.

The black SUV waited at the foot of the steps.

Zane walked straight to the driver’s side and I climbed into the passenger seat without a word.

15:47 Tue, Jul 14 TAM

Chapter 134

The engine started.

Neither of us spoke as the estate gates slowly opened.

Outside, the city was already awake.

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I kept my eyes glued to the passing scenery, hands folded tightly in my lap. The city blurred by, students rushing along sidewalks, cafés opening their doors, buses rumbling through morning traffic. Anything to avoid looking at the boy beside

Zane drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the gear shift. Every few seconds I could feel his gaze slide over

to me.

He didn’t speak for a long time.

Then, quietly:

“You’re still mad at me.”

I didn’t answer.

He exhaled slowly, the sound rough. “I get it. Yesterday was… a lot.”

A lot.

The word almost made me laugh. Yesterday I had begged on my knees, kissed Maya’s foot, watched my mother’s hospital bed get taken away, and then let Zane finger me in a storage room until I squirted on his hand.

Yeah. “A lot.*

I stayed silent, staring out the window.

Zane’s hand left the gear shift and settled on my thigh, warm and heavy through my skirt. I tensed but didn’t push him

away.

“Trouble.” A pause. “Look at me.”

I kept my eyes forward.

His thumb started rubbing slow, soothing circles on my thigh. The touch was gentle, almost careful, but it still sent heat spreading through my body.

“I know I should give you space.” he said quietly. “I know you’re hurting but I can’t pretend I don’t want you. I’ve tried. I’m fucking terrible at it.”

My breath caught. I hated how his voice wrapped around me, how even now, after everything, it made something deep inside me ache for him.

“I’m not asking you to forgive me right now,” he continued, softer. “Just… don’t shut me out completely. Let me be here. Let me fix what I can.”

I finally turned my head. His green eyes were dark, intense, filled with that raw look that always made my resolve crack.

“Zasi” “My

My voice came out shaky. “You’re the reason everything is falling apart.”

“I know” His grip on my thigh tightened just slightly. “Whatever comes for you… it’s coming through me first.”

The car rolled to a stop at a red light

15:47 Tue, Jul 14

Chapter 134

KISA

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He leaned over the console, forehead nearly touching mine. His breath brushed my lips.

“I’m crazy about you, Astra,” he whispered. “Completely fucked in the head over you. And I’m not going anywhere. Even if you keep trying to run.”

The light turned green.

He didn’t pull away immediately. His nose brushed mine, lips hovering so close I could almost taste him again.

“Tell me to stop,” he murmured. “And I will.”

I didn’t say anything.

My stupid heart wouldn’t let me.

Zane’s mouth curved into the smallest, most triumphant smile.

“Good girl.”

He finally sat back and continued driving, but his hand stayed on my thigh the entire way to school.

And I let him.

“Gather around!”

Coach Benson’s whistle cut through the chatter.

Students jogged toward the center of the football field, gym bags tossed onto the bleachers. The autumn sun was warm overhead, a light breeze tugging at loose ponytails and jerseys.

I tugged self-consciously at the hem of my school-issued navy athletic shirt.

Around me, everyone wore the same PE uniform, navy shirts with the Harrington crest stitched over the chest, black athletic shorts, and sneakers.

Coach Benson clapped once.

“Today we’re doing something different.”

A collective groan rose from the seniors.

“If anybody says laps, I’m transferring. Tyler announced.

The class laughed.

Coach ignored him.

“Capture the Flag”

Immediately the mood changed.

A chorus of excited voices erupted.

Yes!

tually”

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Chapter 134

“This is gonna be easy.”

Coach pointed toward opposite ends of the field where two brightly colored flags had already been planted.

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“Mixed teams. Speed, teamwork and strategy. No tackling, no roughhousing, no grabbing clothing. If I blow the whistle, everyone freezes. Understood?”

“Yes, Coach!”

He began reading names from his clipboard.

“Ashton…”

Zane stepped forward.

“Whitmore…”

Maya joined him with a satisfied smile.

“Hawthorne…”

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