The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

ASTRA

Dinner at the Ashton marision felt nothing like dinner anywhere else.

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The dining room could’ve fit my old apartment twice over. A massive chandelier glowed overhead, casting warm gold light across the long polished table. Crystal glasses sparkled beside neatly folded napkins. The air smelled rich rosemary chicken, garlic butter, warm bread.

And me?

–

I felt like the biggest imposter in the room.

kept smoothing my skirt under the table, hyper–aware of every inch of fabric clinging to my body.

Lucas was talking a mile a minute beside me.

‘Astra helped me beat Mason at math today!” he announced proudly, mouth full of bread.

“You still got two questions wrong,” Mason corrected calmly.

Lucas gasped. “Traitor!”

Elira smiled faintly, “Chew first, sweetheart.”

Across from me, Landon Ashton watched everything with quiet amusement.

And right beside him…

Zane,

I could *feel* him even without looking. That heavy, burning stare that made my skin prickle.

I focused hard on cutting my chicken into tiny pieces.

‘You seem to be settling in well, Astra,” Landon said suddenly, his voice smooth and warm.

I glanced up. His attention was fully on me,

“Yes, sir,” I answered politely. “Everyone’s been really kind.”

Zane made a soft, almost mocking sound under his breath.

Landon’s eyebrow lifted slightly toward his son before returning to me. “The boys already seem quite attached to you.”

“They’re easy to love,” I said softly before I could stop myself.

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Heat flooded my cheeks.

Lucas beamed. “See?! I told you she likes us best.”

Mason looked secretly pleased.

Elira took a slow sip of wine, watching us all carefully.

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“You also got the Athletics Committee President position?” Landon asked. “That’s impressive.”

I blinked, surprised he already knew. “Um… yes, sir.”

Landon smiled. “Leadership roles matter at Harrington. You should be proud.”

“I’m still learning,” I mumbled.

“You’ll do well,” he said easily. “You strike me as someone who works hard.”

The sharp *crack* of metal made me jump.

Zane was staring down at the fork in his hand now bent completely in half.

The table went silent.

Lucas blinked. “Whoa…”

Elira sighed like this was nothing new.

Landon leaned back. “Everything alright, son?”

“Fine,” Zane bit out, eyes sliding to me.

Dark and furious.

I looked down at my plate fast, heart hammering,

Then Lucas dropped the bomb.

“Oh! Dad! You have to see Astra’s drawings! She made me a dragon rider today, they’re so cool!”

My soul left my body.

“What?” I squeaked.

Lucas was already bouncing. “Show him! Show him!”

“Oh my god,” I whispered, mortified.

Elira tilted her head. “You draw?”

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Chapter 15-

It’s nothing serious,” I said quickly, face burning. “Just silly sketches for the boys.”

“She’s lying,” Lucas announced cheerfully. “Zane was staring at them earlier.”

Dead. Silence.

Slowly, every head turned toward Zane.

My heart stopped.

Zane looked like he wanted to murder his little brother.

“Lucas.” Elira warned.

“What?” Lucas blinked innocently. “He was!”

I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole.

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When I dared a glance at Zane, he was already staring at me, eyes dark, jaw clenched, that dangerous energy rolling off him in waves.

Landon’s gaze sharpened with interest. “Anime–style? I’d genuinely like to see them sometime.”

I forced a nervous laugh. “They’re really not that good…”

“I disagree,” Landon said smoothly. “Talent like that shouldn’t be hidden.”

Zane suddenly shoved his chair back. The legs scraped loudly against the floor.

“I’m done,” he said flatly.

“You barely ate,” Elira noted.

“Not hungry.”

His eyes burned into me one last time before he turned and walked out.

The tension he left behind clung to the room like smoke,

Lucas blinked, “Why’s Zane acting so weird lately?”

I nearly choked on my water.

Elira closed her eyes like she had a headache.

Landon’s expression turned thoughtful as he swirled his wine.

And I sat there, heart racing, with the terrifying feeling that I had just become the center of something very dangerous in this house.

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Chapter 15

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The next day passed in a nervous blur.

By the time the final bell rang, my stomach was in knots. I clutched my notebook to my chest as I walked toward the small conference room behind the gym for my very first official Athletics Committee meeting.

When I pushed open the door, the girls were already there.

Elizabeth looked up with a bright smile. “President Hawthorne! Right on time.”

Priya waved excitedly, her pink headband matching her notebook. Chloe gave me a shy little nod.

And then..

“Hey, stranger.”

Jason was leaning against the table, violet eyes sparkling with that easy British charm. He was wearing the school uniform but had the sleeves rolled up, looking unfairly good for a hot afternoon

like this.

My cheeks warmed instantly. “Jason? You’re on the committee?”

He grinned. “I asked Coach Benson this morning if I could join. Figured it’d be a good way to actually get to know the school instead of just floating around. He said yes, especially since we’re short on guys.”

Elizabeth nodded. “We’re happy to have him. A fresh perspective is good.”

I smiled, genuinely relieved to see a friendly face. “That’s… really cool. Welcome.”

Jason winked at me. “Wouldn’t miss watching you boss everyone around.”

Priya clapped her hands. “Okay! Let’s get started. We have a home game this Friday against Westbridge Academy. It’s a big one, they’re our rivals.”

We all sat down. Elizabeth slid a printed schedule across the table.

“Current to–do list,” she said. “We need to finalize the student section theme, coordinate with cheer for halftime, order extra water and Gatorade for the team, make sure the pep rally on Thursday runs smoothly, and design new banners.”

Chloe added quietly, “Equipment check is mostly done, but the football team wants new sideline banners with player numbers.”

Priya leaned forward, eyes sparkling, “I was thinking glow sticks and black–and–gold face paint for the student section. Make it look like a night game takeover.”

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+nudded, trying to keep up. “That sounds amazing. What about a big banner at the entrance? Something like ‘Harrington vs Westbridge, We Own These Lights“?”

Jason grinned. “I like that. I can help with setup if you need extra hands.”

The meeting flowed surprisingly well. We divided tasks, Elizabeth on scheduling, Priya on visuals and social media, Chloe on logistics, Jason on heavy lifting and student outreach, and me… somehow coordinating everything.

For the first time, I didn’t feel completely useless.

By the end of the meeting, I was smiling like some fool.

“Great job today, everyone,” I said softly as we packed up. “Thank you for being so patient with me. I know I’m new at this.”

Elizabeth squeezed my shoulder. “You’re doing great. Seriously.”

Jason waited until the others left, then fell into step beside me as we walked out.

“So… President,” he teased, bumping my shoulder lightly. “You looked cute when you were focused. All serious and organized.”

I laughed, cheeks heating. “Stop it.”

“Never.” He grinned. “You free after this? I still owe you that proper conversation.”

Before I could answer, a familiar voice cut through the hallway like ice.

“President Hawthorne.”

I froze.

Zane was leaning against the wall near the exit, arms crossed, green eyes locked on us specifically on how close Jason was standing to me.

The easy smile on Jason’s face faded.

Zane pushed off the wall and walked toward us slowly, gaze never leaving mine.

“Committee meeting over?” he asked, voice dangerously calm.

“Yes,” I said quietly.

His eyes flicked to Jason for half a second, then back to me, “Good, You’re riding home with me.”

It wasn’t a question.

Jason raised an eyebrow. “She might have plans, mate.”

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Zane’s smirk was cold. “She doesn’t.”

The tension between them crackledNike electricity.

I swallowed hard, heart racing.

This was only my second day as President…

…and it already felt like war.