The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 150

Chapter 150

Chapter 150

ZANE

“Just look at all the candy we got!”

55 vouchers

Lucas upended his bulging bag across the coffee table. Chocolate bars, lollipops, gummy worms, and caramel apples spilled out like they’d looted half the neighborhood.

I glanced down and snorted. “You planning to open a convenience store?”

Lucas grinned. “Mom said the same thing.”

“I believe our collection is… excessive,” Mason added, though the corner of his mouth twitched with poorly hidden pride

“Excessive?” Lucas gasped. “There is no such thing as excessive candy.”

“There is.”

“There isn’t.”

I leaned back against the sofa, arms spread across the cushions, watching them bicker.

Lucas suddenly dove back into his bag. “Oh!” He pulled out three king-sized chocolate bars. “These are for Astra.”

I lifted an eyebrow. “You saved some for her?”

“She took us trick-or-treating,” Lucas said, like I was slow. “She deserves candy too.

Mason gave a single firm nod. “It seemed only fair.”

A strange pressure bloomed behind my ribs even though I really didn’t know what it was.

But one thing was sure, my girl was spoiling my brothers…. and they’d already started spoiling her right back.

The easy moment shattered.

Mason’s gaze snapped toward the staircase. Lucas followed and both of them went still.

I frowned. “What?”

Neither answered.

So I turned.

And the entire world narrowed to one point.

Everything else, the chatter from nearby staffs, the flickering Halloween lights, the faint music drifting from deeper in the house, all vanished.

She stood halfway down the staircase like a vision dragged straight out of my darkest fantasies and given breath.

My pulse slammed against my throat.

Jesus Christ.

The gown clung to every soft curve like it had been made for her.

115

TUE

21

O

D

KIKA

|||

O

Chapter 150

No.

Like it had begged to be the one allowed to touch her.

That dress was touching her skin. Hugging her hips. Clinging to her thighs with every step.

I stood up slowly, unable to look away.

55 vouchers

Astra stopped a few feet away from me, checks already turning that pretty shade of pink I loved so much. She fidgeted with the skirt, clearly self-conscious.

“Hi…” she said softly, eyes flicking to the floor.

The twins both gasped.

“Wow!” Lucas shouted. “Astra, you look like a princess!”

Mason nodded, eyes wide. “A very pretty one.”

I couldn’t speak for a second. My throat felt tight.

“You look…” My voice came out rough. “Fucking beautiful.”

Her eyes widened, and she blushed even harder, looking anywhere but at me.

I took one step closer, then another, until I was standing right in front of her. The scent of her, strawberries and warmth wrapped around me like a drug.

I wanted to pull her against me. Kiss her until she forgot every reason she was trying to stay away. I already hated men who hadn’t even seen her yet.

Instead, I reached out and gently brushed a stray golden curl behind her ear, letting my fingers linger against the soft curve of her cheek.

She glanced up at me for the briefest second before her lashes fluttered down, a shy smile playing on her lips.

“…Thank you.”

That tiny, innocent smile did something violent to me. Something dark and possessive unfurled inside my chest, and desire hit with brutal intensity.

“You’re welcome, Star.”

A soft clap echoed from the staircase.

“Well…” Mom descended the last few steps, one hand pressed over her heart.”I think we made the right choice.”

Astra’s blush deepened to a rosy glow. “I-It isn’t too much, is it?”

“Too much?” Mom laughed warmly. “Honey, if anyone wins best dressed tonight, it’s going to be you.”

Lucas nodded so hard I thought his head might fall off. “She already won!”

“I agree,” Mason said matter-of-factly, pushing up his glasses. “The statistical probability of anyone outshining her appears… very low.”

Astra ducked her head, clearly wishing the floor would open up and swallow her whole. Every shy little reaction she gave me made wanting her that much worse.

25

TUC

221

O

O

D

KIKA

|||

O

<

10:36 Tue, Jul 21 N

Chapter 150

55 vouchers

Mom glanced at the grandfather clock in the foyer. “Oh goodness. It’s already seven thirty.” She pointed toward the front door. “You two need to leave. Now.”

“We’ve got plenty of time,” I said, too busy drinking her in to care about the time.

She gave me the look*. “Zane Ashton.”

I sighed. “… We’re leaving.”

“Good boy.”

I reached for Astra’s hand. She looked down at our joined fingers, then back up at me, one eyebrow raised

“Zane…”

“What?”

“You didn’t ask.”

I intertwined our fingers anyway, brushing my thumb over her knuckles. “I’m asking now.”

“That’s not how asking works.”

“It worked.”

She let out the tiniest, most exasperated little sigh, but she didn’t pull away. Cute as hell.

Together we headed for the front door, her heels clicking softly beside me.

Lucas kept watching us as we walked away. “Mom?”

“Hmm?”

Lucas’s next words stopped me in my tracks.

“I think I want to marry Astra when I grow up.”

The foyer went dead silent.

Very.

Slowly.

I turned my head.

Lucas blinked up at me with wide, innocent eyes. “What?”

I stared at him for a long second. The possessiveness that surged through me was so instant-and so completely ridiculous- I almost laughed.

“…Find another wife.”

Lucas gasped like I’d betrayed him. “But I called her first!”

“You were eight years too late, kid.”

Mason wore the tiny, knowing smile he always got before correcting someone. “Technically, he didn’t have the opportunity eight years ago.”

35

TUE

221

O

O

D

KIKA

111

O

10:36 Tue, Jul

Chapter 150

“I don’t care,” I replied, never taking my eyes off Lucas.

A bright laugh burst out of Mom before she could stop it. “Oh, Zane.”

Astra covered her face with both hands, peeking through her fingers.