The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 153

Chapter 153

Chapter 153

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The room pulsed with noise, music pounding, students cheering, teammates laughing but the moment between Astra and Zane stretched strangely still.

Maya’s words echoed in her head.

*You really think you’d be the one he’d choose?*

Yet Zane wasn’t looking at any of the girls screaming his name. His gaze was fixed on her. Only her.

Her pulse thundered in her ears.

Before she could process it, Tyler nearly crashed into him. Zane caught his teammate’s shoulder with a laugh, shoving him upright as the crowd erupted again.

A sharp whistle cut through the music.

“All right!”

Mr. Whitmore, the history teacher, strode to the center of the ballroom, clapping for attention. “As entertaining as our football team clearly believes they are…”

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

“…the Committee did not spend weeks planning this evening so you could all watch Mr. Ashton steal the spotlight.”

The room booed. Tyler pointed at himself in mock outrage. “We were just getting started!”

Mr. Whitmore smiled. “And you’ve already had your moment.”

He clasped his hands behind his back, voice carrying easily. “Since our theme celebrates nineteenth-century nobility, it’s time for a proper Regency set.”

Excited murmurs swept the room. Teachers and committee members quickly organized the crowd into two long lines-boys on one side, girls on the other.

Jason stepped directly across from Astra, offering her a warm smile. “Looks like we’re partners.”

The musicians shifted seamlessly. The pounding bass faded, replaced by swelling strings and a lively orchestral melody that filled the gilded hall like warm candlelight.

Mr. Whitmore raised his hand. “Gentlemen.”

Every boy bowed in elegant unison.

“Ladies.”

Astra sank into a graceful curtsey with the others, heart fluttering at the candlelit chandeliers and rustle of

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Chapter 153

gowns, centuries-old tradition brought to life.

Jason extended his hand, palm up. “Ready?”

She placed her fingers in his. “Ready.”

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The dance began. The lines stepped forward. Jason bowed; Astra curtsied, unable to hide her smile.

“Very impressive,” he murmured.

“Occupational hazard of being committee president.”

Their fingertips brushed, hands joining as couples met in the center. The dance flowed-step, turn, separate, meet again. Laughter erupted as students fumbled steps and bumped shoulders.

Jason quietly counted under his breath, guiding her gently. “One… two… turn. There you go.”

Astra laughed as he spun her, her skirt blooming around her legs. They circled another couple, hands meeting and parting with every figure.

Then, as the world blurred into candlelight and music, she saw him.

Two impossibly bright green eyes cutting through the shadows at the edge of the ballroom. Astra’s breath caught. Even across the crowded floor, she’d know those eyes anywhere.

His gaze locked on hers like nothing else in the room existed. The flickering candlelight highlighted the sharp line of his jaw and the dark intensity in his green eyes. He looked every bit the dangerous, untouchable king, black tailored coat, open collar, and slightly messy hair.

Her heart slammed against her ribs and she stumbled.

Jason caught her smoothly, steadying her with a gentle hand at her waist. “You okay?”

She forced a small smile. “Yeah… sorry. Just lost my footing.”

But her gaze kept drifting back to Zane. He hadn’t moved. The corner of his mouth lifted in that slow, knowing smirk that always made her stomach flip.

*Stop looking at him.*

She tried. Yet every turn brought her eyes back to him. He leaned against a pillar now, head tilted, watching her every movement with Jason like he was memorizing it. Like he was waiting.

When Jason spun her again, Zane was gone.

Her chest tightened.

The final notes of the orchestra swelled and faded. Polite applause rippled through the ballroom as couples bowed and curtsied.

Astra pulled away from Jason first, heart still racing. “I need some water,” she said quickly, offering an

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apologetic smile. “I’ll be right back.”

:

Jason nodded, concern lingering in his eyes. “I can come with you.”

“No, it’s okay.” She stepped back before he could insist. “I won’t be long.”

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She wove through the crowd toward the refreshment tables. Her hands trembled as she reached for a glass of water and lifted it to her lips.

A low, familiar voice brushed against her ear.

“Finished dancing with your prince?”

The glass slipped from her fingers and shattered against the floor.

Astra spun around, breath catching.

Zane stood barely a foot away, towering over her, indifferent to the broken glass. His green eyes locked on her with predatory intensity, the candlelight turning them into molten emeralds-like a lion watching its prey.

She backed up until her lower back hit the table’s edge. “Zane…” Her voice wavered. “You startled me.”

He took one slow step closer, crowding her against the table without touching her. The heat of his body radiated through her dress. His gaze dragged slowly down her form, then back up to her face.

“What happened here?”

A female teacher, Ms. Langford, the English instructor hurried over, eyes widening at the shattered glass on the floor.

Astra flushed deeper. “I’m so sorry. I dropped it. I’ll clean it up right now.”

Ms. Langford sighed, waving a hand. “Just be careful. I’ll get a custodian. You two should enjoy the party.”

Astra nodded quickly and slipped past Zane, heart pounding. She slipped through the side door into the quieter hallway, desperate for a moment to calm the frantic pounding of her heart.

She didn’t make it far.

Heavy footsteps followed right behind her.

“Zane,” she hissed without turning around, “stop following me.”

“Why?” His voice was calm, almost amused. “You’re heading the wrong way for the party.”

She scoffed, pushing open the door to the small supply hallway. “It’s your fault I dropped the glass in the first place.”

“My fault?” He stepped in behind her, the door clicking shut. The narrow hallway suddenly felt far too small. “I didn’t touch you.”

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“You were standing too close.”

“I like standing close.”

She grabbed a mop from the supply closet, cheeks burning. “You’re so…’

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“Honest?” He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching her with that infuriating smirk. “You were the one who couldn’t stop looking at me during the dance.”

“I was not.”

“You were.”

She turned on him, mop in hand like a weapon. “You’re delusional.”

Zane pushed off the wall and closed the distance in two slow steps. He stopped just inches eyes searching her face as though he couldn’t look anywhere else.

away, his green

“Am I?”

Her breath caught.

The hallway felt impossibly quiet except for the distant thump of music and her own racing heartbeat.

Zane’s gaze dropped to her lips.

“Tell me to leave,” he said softly. “And I will.”

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