The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2

ASTRA

Dr. Ray’s office smelled like disinfectant and stale coffee. I sat across from him, clutching the handkerchief he’d handed me, pressing it hard against my eyes until the fabric was damp. My voice came out small and shaky.

“Everything is too much,” I whispered. “I’m really trying my best, juggling three part–time jobs with school and Mom’s hospital bills and rent and everything else. I just… I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up.”

Dr. Ray stayed quiet for a moment, letting me breathe. He leaned forward slightly, his expression steady, patient — the way he always looked when delivering bad news.

“You’ve been carrying more than most adults,” he said gently. “Anyone in your position would feel overwhelmed.”

A weak laugh slipped out of me. “I must look terrible.”

“You look exhausted,” he replied calmly. “Not terrible.”

His voice was kind, but professional — the reassuring tone of a doctor, not someone crossing a line, He slid the tissue box closer across the desk.

I wiped my face.quickly, trying to pull myself together.

“I’ll figure something out,” I said, “I’ll take more shifts. Maybe another job after school. Even if I have to drop out—”

The words caught in my throat.

Dropping out,

After four years at Harrington Academy. After fighting so hard to stay there.

I swallowed hard.

“And… my mom,” I asked quietly. “Is she getting any better?”

Dr. Ray exhaled slowly and leaned back in his chair.

“The prognosis hasn’t changed,” he said. “Early–onset Alzheimer’s progresses differently for everyone, but her memory loss is accelerating, She’s having more confusion episodes, and

physically she’s starting to struggle – balance, coordination. The medication can slow things down, but it can’t reverse the disease.”

My chest tightened. Tears slid silently down my cheeks again.

He paused, then added carefully.

“And the hospital can’t continue extending credit much longer. I’ve advocated for you as far as I can, but the billing department will need payment soon. Otherwise, they’ll begin discharge planning.”

The words landed like bricks.

I stared down at the floor.

“I understand,” I whispered.

Silence settled between us for a few seconds. Then Dr. Ray shifted in his chair, his tone changing slightly more practical now.

“There may be another option,” he said.

My head snapped up.

“What kind of option?”

“A job,” he replied. “A live–in position.”

My heart skipped.

He continued:

“I know a family- very wealthy, very private. They come here regularly for treatment. They’re looking for someone responsible to stay in their home and help care for their children. The pay is generous. And it includes housing.”

Housing.

A place to sleep.

My spine straightened instantly,

“Yes,” I said, breathless, “Yes, I’m interested.”

He studied my face for a moment, making sure I understood.

“They’re particular people,” he said. “They value privacy and discretion. Not everyone is comfortable in that environment.”

“I don’t mind,” I said quickly. “I just need the job.”

Another pause.

Then he nodded.

" Alright, he said, reaching for his phone. “Let me call them.”

My fingers curled tightly in my lap as he stepped to the side of the room. My pulse hammered in

my ears.

Please. Please let this work.

I listened to fragments of the conversation

“Yes… I have someone suitable… Responsible, hardworking… Final–year student… Yes, she can start immediately.”

A short pause.

Then he ended the call and turned back toward me.

“You got the job,” he said.

For a second, I just stared at him.

Then the tears came again – not from fear this time, but relief.

I pushed out of the chair and hugged him without thinking.

He stiffened in surprise for half a heartbeat, then gently patted my shoulder – formal, reassuring.

“It’s going to be okay,” he said.

And for the first time in days, I believed it.

“Relax,” he said again, softer this time. “They’re going to love you.”

“I’m… relaxed,” I lied.

He chuckled, “No you’re not. That foot–tapping has been going for the last ten minutes.”

I looked down, my left foot was drumming against the floor mat like it had its own heartbeat. I pressed my palm hard against my thigh to stop it.

“Sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. Everything’s going to be fine.” He glanced at the bags between my legs. “And is that everything you need?”

“Well, yes, most of my things. I don’t really have much, and the rest of my stuff is with Mrs. Rivera, one of my neighbors. If I start this job, hopefully I can keep some of it in the room they give me, and the others I can pick up later when I get paid.”

Dr. Kay nodded once, eyes on the road.

“You will,” he said calmly. “This job pays well enough that you won’t have to worry about storage fees or losing anything Just focus on settling in tonight.”

I nodded, but my stomach stayed knotted. The city lights blurred past the window, and every mile felt like it was pulling me further from the life I knew.

Dr. Ray’s hands tightened slightly on the wheel.

“They’re… particular about who they let in,” he said quietly. “Just be careful what you ask about.”

I blinked.

“What do you mean?”

He shook his head, eyes forward.

“Nothing. Just… trust me on this one.”

That didn’t make me feel better.

We turned off the main road onto a quieter street lined with tall trees. Then the gate appeared, ǝlack iron, massive, with a gold crest at the top. It slid open automatically as we approached, smooth and silent.

My breath caught.

‘Oh my god…”

Dr. Ray gave a soft huff of amusement.

“Yeah,” he said. “That’s the reaction most people have the first time.”

We rolled through the gate and up a long, curving driveway lit by soft lanterns. The mansion rose ahead of us, three stories of pale stone, arched windows glowing warm gold, ivy climbing the walls

like it had been there forever.

It didn’t look like a house.

It looked like a place with rules.

I turned to him.

“How rich are these people?”

He smiled faintly.

“Rich enough,” he said. “Come on.”

He parked near the fountain in the circular drive. I grabbed my bags, heart hammering, and followed him up the wide stone steps to the double oak doors.

They opened before we even knocked.*、

A beautiful blond woman stood in the doorway, tall, elegant, wearing a cream silk blouse and jeans that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe. Her posture was straight, composed, like she was used to being obeyed.

Behind her, a man in a crisp black suit, definitely a butler, stepped aside silently.

“Ray,” she said warmly, stepping forward to hug him.

“Elira,” he replied. “Good to see you.”

“You must be Astra.”

There was a lock on it.

Elira sat across from us, crossing her legs neatly.

“Yes, ma’am. I’ve babysat for my neighbors, younger kids, sometimes infants. I’m good with routines, feeding, bedtime stories, homework help. I’ve never had any complaints.”

“Boys?”

A senior and two little boys.

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