The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3

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ask questions about matters that do not concern you. If something feels… off, you come to me or my husband. Not the boys or staff. Me.”

The locked door from earlier flashed in my mind.

The heavy metal latch.

Her too–quick smile.

“Understood,” I said.

She studied my face for a moment, making sure.

Them she continued.

“Second: the twins come first. Always. If they wake at two in the morning because of a nightmare, you respond immediately. No complaints or delays.”

Her voice softened slightly.

“They have had enough instability already.”

I wondered what kind of instability she meant.

“Third,” she said, meeting my eyes again, “no outside drama. No friends staying over. No. boyfriends sneaking in. No posting about this house or this family online. What happens here stays here.”

The way she said it didn’t feel like a request.

It felt like a boundary carved in stone.

Heat crept up my neck.

“I don’t have anyone to bring over,” I said quietly. “And I don’t really post much.”

She held my gaze for a long beat.

Weighing.

“Good,” she said at last.

Then she stepped slightly closer.

“Fourth and this is the most important one.”

Her voice dropped just enough to pull my full attention.

“Zane can be… difficult. He is protective of his brothers and of this house.”

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Chapter 3

My stomach tipped.

This was his house.

Zane Ashton’s house.

The boy who made my life miserable.

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“But if he pushes your boundaries,” she continued calmly, “or treats you unkindly, you come to me immediately. Do not attempt to handle him alone.”

The word difficult landed like a stone in water.

“Yes, ma’am,” I said automatically, then winced at how small my voice sounded.

Her lips curved slightly not quite a smile.

“I expect you can follow the rules,” she said.

“I can,” I replied.

She reached out and squeezed my shoulder lightly. The touch felt almost maternal, reassuring.

“You’re going to do well here, Astra. Get some rest. The twins will be up early tomorrow, and they will be very excited to meet you.”

She turned to leave, then paused in the doorway.

“Oh… one more thing.”

Her eyes flicked briefly toward the closet door.

“If you hear anything strange at night, footsteps, doors opening it is likely just the house settling. Old homes make noise.”

A small smile returned to her face.

“Don’t worry about it,”

She stepped out and closed the door softly behind her.

The click sounded louder than it should have.

I stood there for a long moment, heart thudding unevenly.

The room was beautiful.

The bed looked soft enough to swallow me whole.

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Chapter 3

The air smelled elean and expensive.

But her last words lingered.

If you hear anything strange at night…

I set my bags down slowly.

Then I crossed the room.

My hand hovered over the closet handle.

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I stepped out of the shower with a small smile. I had spent nearly an hour under the hot spray, letting the steam wash away the day’s grime and fear.

The bathroom was ridiculous, marble tiles, rainfall showerhead, heated towel rack.

I wrapped myself in one of the fluffy white towels and padded back into the bedroom.

The room felt less overwhelming now.

Almost… mine.

My gaze drifted back to the closet door.

It had been staring at me since Elira left.

I sighed, shook out my damp hair, and crossed to my bags. I pulled out my faded pajamas, an oversized T–shirt and soft shorts that had seen better days and slipped them on.

Comfortable,

That was all that mattered,

Then I turned back to the closet.

I counted to three.

Then I opened it.

The door swung silently.

Inside: rows of empty shelves, hanging rods bare, a full–length mirror on the back wall. A faint scent of cedar and nothing else.

No boxes.

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Chapter 3

No secrets.

Just space.

Normal.

I exhaled slowly.

Maybe I was being paranoid.

My phone buzzed on the side table.

One new message from Dr. Ray.

Ray: You settled in okay? If anything feels off, call me. Anytime. You’re not alone in this.

A grateful smile tugged at my lips.

Me: Thank you, the room is beautiful. I’m okay. Really grateful for everything.

[ hit send.

My stomach growled loudly.

[ pressed a hand against it.

I had barely eaten all day.

Elira had said the kitchen was open.

Still… it was late. The house felt too quiet.

But hunger won,

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I slipped on my socks so my footsteps wouldn’t echo, cracked the bedroom door, and listened.

Silence.

[ padded down the hallway past closed doors and expensive paintings. The staircase curved into shadow below.

Just fruit.

In and out.

The kitchen was massive, gleaming counters, double ovens, a refrigerator that looked like it belonged in a showroom, Moonlight spilled through tall windows, turning everything silver,

Then I saw it.

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11:29 am Pppp.

Chapter 3.

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