The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18

ASTRA

“Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God.”

I was going to throw up.

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The stadium lights blazed overhead, turning the entire field into a sea of silver and gold. Music blasted through the speakers. The stands were packed, students in black and gold, waving banners, screaming at the top of their lungs. The energy was electric, almost overwhelming.

This was Harrington Academy’s first home game of the season.

And I was somehow in charge of half of it.

“President Hawthorne!” someone yelled from the sidelines.

I gripped my clipboard tighter, headset slightly crooked on my messy bun, and tried not to panic.

Priya rushed up to me, looking frazzled but excited. “The cheerleaders finally agreed on the smoke bombs, silver and gold only. The student section is almost full. Jason’s helping hand out the glow sticks!”

I nodded quickly, flipping through my checklist. “Water coolers are set. Banners are up. Pep rally script is ready. We’re good. We’re good.”

I didn’t sound convinced.

Jason appeared beside me, holding two glowing sticks and wearing a soft smile. “Breathe, Astra. You’ve got this.”

I gave him a shaky smile. “I’m trying.”

The announcer’s voice boomed across the stadium,

“Ladies and gentlemen… please welcome your Harrington Hawks!”

The crowd erupted as the football team ran out onto the field,

My eyes found him instantly,

Zane,

He looked every bit the star quarterback, navy jersey stretched across his broad shoulders and chest, helmet under one arm, dark hair messy from warm–ups. The captain’s “C” patch stood out proudly. The entire stadium chanted his name.

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Bu his eyes scanned the sidelines until they locked on me.

For a long second, the noise faded.

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Then he turned away sharply, jaw tight, and jogged toward the team huddle.

The pep rally portion kicked off right after, cheerleaders doing stunts, the band playing the fight song, students waving banners. My committee had done most of the setup, and seeing it all come together made my chest swell with pride.

We actually pulled it off.

By the time the national anthem ended and the teams lined up for the coin toss, I was buzzing with

nervous energy.

Jason stayed close the whole time, occasionally bumping my shoulder lightly. “You look good in president mode.”

I laughed nervously. “I look like I’m about to

pass out.”

“You look hot,” he corrected with a grin.

My face heated.

Then the game started.

The referee blew the whistle. Harrington won the toss and elected to receive. The kickoff sailed through the air, and the crowd went wild as our returner caught it and sprinted forward.

I stood near the sidelines with my committee, clipboard in hand, trying to look professional even though my heart was racing.

Zane was on the field now.

Every time he moved, calling plays, shouting at his teammates, throwing warm–up passes, I couldn’t help but watch. He was magnetic, Dangerous. In control,

And every few plays, his eyes would flick toward the sidelines.

Toward me.

Jason noticed with a raised brow. “He keeps looking over here.”

“I know,” I whispered.

Maya and the cheerleaders were performing near our section, but Maya’s glare kept cutting toward me like knives.

The first quarter flew by in a blur of noise, tension, and adrenaline. Harrington was up by one

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Chapter 18

touchdown when halftinic finally came.

I let out a long breath. “We survived the first half.”

Jason laughed. “You survived. We just helped.”

Priya and Elizabeth came rushing over, beaming.

“This is actually going really well!” Priya said.

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Elizabeth nodded. “The student section looks amazing. People are loving the glow sticks.”

I smiled, genuinely proud for a moment.

But the feeling didn’t last long.

Because as the halftime show started, I felt it again, that heavy, burning stare.

Zane was on the bench, helmet off, water bottle in hand… watching me.

Not the cheerleaders doing their routine.

Not the marching band.

Just me.

And the look in his eyes was dark, intense, and anything but friendly.

I quickly looked away, heart racing, and forced myself to focus on my job.

“Priya, make sure the glow stick distribution is ready for the third quarter,” I said, checking my clipboard. “Jason, can you help the maintenance guys move the extra water coolers closer to the bench? Coach said they’re running low.”

“On it,” Jason replied, giving my shoulder a quick, reassuring squeeze before jogging off.

The rest of halftime flew by in a blur of coordinating with cheer coaches, confirming the student section chants, and making sure the banners were still secure, By the time the teams came back onto the field for the second half, I was exhausted but buzzing.

The game kicked off again.

And Zane… God.

He was everywhere.

Tall, broad–shouldered, and ridiculously handsome under the bright lights, he commanded the field like it belonged to him. Every snap, every play call, every perfect spiral pass, he was focused, sharp, unstoppable. The crowd chanted his name after every completion. Girls in the stands

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Streamed like he was a rockstar.

He threw a beautiful 35–yard pass in the third quarter that led to a touchdown.

Then another one early in the fourth that set up the game–winning drive.

I hated how mesmerized I was.

Every time he came off the field, his eyes found me on the sidelines.

Every single time.

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The score stayed close the entire game, but Harrington pulled ahead in the final minutes. When he clock hit zero and the final whistle blew, the stadium exploded.

Final Score: Harrington 28 – Westbridge 24

The crowd lost their minds.

students flooded the field. Cheerleaders screamed. The band played the fight song at full volume. Fireworks went off above the stadium.

stood there in the chaos, clipboard forgotten in my hands, grinning so wide my cheeks hurt.

‘We did it!” Priya screamed, tackling me in a hug. “You did it, President!”

Elizabeth and Chloe joined in, jumping and laughing. Jason appeared out of nowhere and lifted me off the ground in a quick, celebratory spin.

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