The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 147

Chapter 147

Chapter 147

ÁSTRA

“You can do this, Astra Hawthorne,” I whispered, my voice barely cutting through the quiet of my room.

My fingers closed around the cool brass doorknob.

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The bedroom door creaked open, and almost immediately, the warm chatter of the Ashton household drifted up from downstairs, Lucas chattering at full speed, Mason cutting in with his usual precise corrections, and Mrs. Ashton’s soft laughter threading between them. Then his voice joined the mix.

Deep. Lazy. Far too familiar.

Every scrap of courage I’d spent the last ten minutes scraping together vanished like smoke. I eased the door shut again with a soft click, pressed my back against the wood, and stared up at the ceiling.

*Coward.*

I dragged both hands down my face, cheeks burning.

Why was I like this? I hadn’t done anything wrong. Not… exactly. The memory of last night flashed hot across my mind, Zane’s hands, his mouth, the way he’d unraveled me so easily and my face ignited.

“Okay,” I muttered. “Maybe letting Zane Ashton anywhere near my private parts wasn’t the smartest decision I’ve ever

made.”

A groan slipped out as I buried my face in my hands. “But he started it!”

God, I sounded like Lucas. I’d officially sunk to the emotional maturity of an eight-year-old.

The clock on my bedside table glared back at me. Crap. I was already late for my breakfast shift at the diner. No time to hide under the covers, fake a sudden illness, or climb out the window.

Though… I glanced toward the window.

*No.* The gardener would spot me in a heartbeat.

With a heavy sigh, I pushed away from the door and faced the mirror.

I looked myself over one last time. Cream knit sweater, dark jeans, brown leather belt, worn white sneakers, and my hair pulled into a high ponytail. Simple. Comfortable. Completely innocent-looking… which was a miracle, considering the emotional chaos currently living inside my head.

I patted my flushed cheeks.

“Act normal.”

*Pat.*

“You’re calm.”

*Pat.*

“You’re composed.”

*Pat.*

Chapter 147

“And you are definitely not thinking about…”

1 pointed at my reflection. “We are not finishing that sentence.”

One last steadying breath, and I opened the door again. This time I forced my feet forward. The long staircase stretched endlessly beneath me, each step echoing louder than the last. By the time I reached the dining room, my heart was pounding hard against my ribs.

I pinned on the brightest smile I could manage and stepped inside.

“Good morning.”

“ASTRA!” Lucas nearly launched himself out of his chair. “There you are!”

“I thought you got lost up there,” Mason said around a bite of toast.

“I was just getting ready,” I replied, keeping my voice light.

Lucas narrowed his eyes, instantly suspicious. “For a *really* long time.”

Elira looked up from her coffee with a warm, knowing smile. “Good morning, sweetheart.”

“Morning, ma’am.”

Landon offered a brief glance over his Newspaper. “Morning.”

“Good morning, sir.”

My traitorous gaze slid across the table despite every warning screaming in my head.

Zane was already watching me. Of course he was. One corner of that infuriating mouth lifted into the tiniest smirk-subtle enough that no one else would notice, but crystal clear to me.

Heat flooded my face.

“He’s doing this on purpose. Psychopath.*

“Are you feeling alright?” Elira asked gently. “You look a little flushed.”

“Oh!” I let out a laugh that was far too loud. “I’m fine. Just… ran down the stairs too fast.”

Zane lowered his head, hiding what was definitely a grin behind his coffee mug. I fought the sudden violent urge to hurl a piece of toast at his smug face.

Thankfully, Lucas rescued me.

“Astra!” he said, bouncing in his seat. “Don’t forget! Four o’clock!”

“I remember.”

“And candy.”

“I remember that too.”

“And we’re going to “every house.”

I couldn’t help laughing. “We’ll see how long those little legs of yours last.”

“They’ll last forever!”

11:46 Fri, Jul 17

Chapter 147

“They absolutely will not,” Mason deadpanned.

“They will.”

“They won’t.”

“They..”

“Boys.” Elira interrupted, amusement sparkling in her green eyes.

Both twins instantly adopted angelic expressions.

“I’ll finish my shift and be back before four,” I promised Lucas. “You have my word.”

He beamed. “Best babysitter ever.”

My heart melted a little. “I’ll hold you to that after you’ve eaten all your vegetables tonight.”

His smile dropped dramatically. “…Second-best babysitter ever.”

The whole table chuckled everyone except Zane. I could still feel his gaze on me, steady and unapologetic, like he knew exactly why I couldn’t meet his eyes for more than a second.

I adjusted my bag before my face could combust completely. “I should get going”

“Be Safe,” Elira called.

“I will.”

I hurried toward the foyer, grateful to finally escape.

I’d barely reached the front door when his voice drifted after me.

“Trouble.”

I stopped.

Slowly, I looked back.

Zane had followed me into the foyer at some point, hands shoved into the pockets of his gray sweatpants, looking entirely too relaxed for someone who enjoyed tormenting me before ten in the morning.

“Need a ride?”

My eye twitched.

“No.”

“You sure?”

“Very.”

He tilted his head, the corner of his mouth lifting into that annoying kissab…..

What in the world was I about to think?

No no no…

“I’d even promise to behave.”

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11:46 Fri, Jul 17 J

Chapter 147

CISA

I snorted. “Now I know you’re lying.”

Zane let out a soft, amused laugh that somehow managed to sound both innocent and dangerous at the same time. He pushed off the wall and took a few slow steps toward me, hands still casually in his pockets like he had all the time in the world.

“Come on, Trouble,” he said, tilting his head. “It’s a long walk to the bus stop. And you look tired. Let me drive you.

“I’m fine walking.”

“You’re not fine walking.” His eyes swept over me, lingering just long enough to make my pulse jump. “You/barely slept ast night. Thanks to me.”

My face burned hotter. I turned away quickly, grabbing the front door handle. “Goodbye, Zane.”

I pulled the door open and stepped outside.

Two seconds later, I heard his footsteps behind me.

Of course.

I didn’t stop. I kept walking down the long driveway toward the main gate, arms swinging, pretending I couldn’t hear him following.

“Trouble.”

I ignored him.

“Astra.”

Still ignored.

“Star.”

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