The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 6

Chapter 6

ASTRA

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Zrrrr… ZITTI….. ZIYIT……

The alarm drilled into my skull like a jackhammer, relentless and unforgiving. I groaned, and reached blindly across the nightstand, fingers fumbling until they smacked the alarm clock and flopped back onto the pillow, already drifting again.

Then reality slammed into me like cold water.

My eyes flew open.

I wasn’t in my old apartment.

I was in the Ashton mansion.

My new job.

I shot upright so fast the room spun. The Alarm clock showed 7:30.

Elira had said 6:00 so she could give me instructions for the twins‘ routine, wake–up time, breakfast, and school drop–off. I was already an hour and a half late.

Panic exploded in my chest.

“Shit, shit, shit…..”

I scrambled out of bed, legs tangled in the sheets, and bolted to the bathroom.

And I had one of quickest shower of my life–hot water barely on before I was scrubbing soap over my body. Toothbrush in mouth while I yanked on my school uniform, buttons done up crooked, skirt wrinkled. I scraped my hair into a messy bun, jammed my glasses on my face, grabbed my bag and phone, and ran down the hallway, my heart hammering so hard I could taste it.

{

The kitchen was full of staff, quiet, efficient people in uniforms who glanced up as I skidded in.

“Hi, sorry, good morning….”

I didn’t stop. I flew past the living room, through the foyer, out the massive front door, down the stone steps….

And nearly collided with Elira.

She stood at the bottom, elegant as always, arms crossed, watching Zane stride toward his sleek black car. Both of them turned at the sound of my frantic footsteps.

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Chapter 6

skidded to a halt, gasping,

“I’m so sorry, ma’am, Loverslept, I didn’t mean to, I set the alarm for six, I swear.”

Elira raised a hand, calm as ever. “It’s fine, Astra.”

I blinked. “It is?”

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“You looked exhausted last night,” she said gently. “I expected this might happen. Just… don’t let it become a habit.”

I nodded so fast my bun wobbled. “Yes, ma’am. Never again. I promise.”

“Where are the twins?” I asked, still breathless.

“The school bus took them. It comes at seven. They’re already on their way.”

Another wave of guilt crashed over me. “I’m so sorry….”

Elira shook her head. “It’s fine. Go to school, you’ll be late.”

I started to nod, already turning when she added, “Zane will drive you from now on.”

My stomach dropped.

“What?” I whispered.

Zane, already at his car, paused with his hand on the door. His head snapped toward us.

“No way in hell,” he growled.

spun back to Elira. “I’m fine, I’ll take the bus. Really. It’s no problem.”

Elira’s expression didn’t change. “No. You’re part of this household now. You ride with Zane”

Zane yanked the driver’s door open so hard the hinges protested. “I’m not driving her anywhere.”

Elira turned to him, voice still calm but edged with steel. “Yes. You are

He glared at her, then at me. His jaw ricked.

Elira pulled a crisp bill from her pocket, more money than I’d seen in days making deliveries and pressed it into my hand. “You didn’t eat breakfast. Use this.”

I tried to push it back. “No, ma’am, I can’t….”

She closed my fingers around it. “Take it. And go.”

I looked at Zane. He looked ready to murder someone.

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Elua’s tone left ne room for argument. “Get in the car, Astra.”

I hesitated.

Zane growled low in his throat. “Hurry the fuck up.”

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I wanted to argue and tell her again that I could walk, take the bus, or take my damn scooter, anything but sit in a confined space with him.

But Elira’s eyes were steady, and expectant.

I swallowed hard, rushed forward, yanked open the passenger door, and slid inside.

Before I could even reach for the seatbelt, Zane slammed his foot on the gas.

The car lurched forward.

I grabbed the dashboard to keep from slamming into it, breath catching in my throat.

He peeled out of the estate like he was trying to outrun a bomb, tires screeching on the smooth driveway.

I fumbled the seatbelt into place, heart pounding.

He didn’t look at me.

But I felt his anger filling the car like smoke.

Thick and suffocating.

And far too close.

Oh god, it felt like I was going to throw up. I hadn’t eaten anything substantial, but I was sure my stomach would still find something to retch up with the way Zane was driving.

ľ

He was going like a fucking lunatic.

I pressed myself against the passenger door, fingers digging into the leather seat as the car hurtled down the empty road. Tall pine trees blurred on both sides, dark and endless. No other cars or houses. Just us, the roaring engine, and the sharp scent of his cologne mixed with leather.

I turned to him, voice shaking. “C–can you p–please slow down?”

He whipped his head toward me, eyes blazing with pure disdain.

“Shut the fuck up, Trash–tra.”

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The nickname hit like a slap. I flinched, but something inside me snapped.

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“I’m not going to die in your stupid car because you’re throwing a tantrum,” I shot back, louder than I meant. “Slow down.”

For a second, the car kept flying.

Then Zane slammed on the brakes.

The tires screamed. My body jerked forward, seatbelt biting into my chest. A scream tore out of my hroat before I could stop it.

The car skidded to a violent stop on the shoulder, gravel spraying.

Before I could catch my breath, Zane was on me.

He lunged across the center console, one hand slamming against the headrest behind me, the other gripping the doorframe beside my shoulder. He caged me in completely, chest heaving, face inches rom mine, green eyes burning like acid.

pressed back as far as the seat would let me, heart slamming so hard I thought it would crack my

ibs.

No cars. No houses. No witnesses.

ust trees, silence, and him.

He could do anything.

Dump my body somewhere in those woods and drive away like nothing happened.

The thought sent ice through my veins.

Zane smiled–slow, cruel, and terrifying like he knew my thoughts.

You think you can talk back to me?” he snarled. “Or that you can sit in my car, in any space, and give me orders?”

I couldn’t speak. My throat was locked tight.

His gaze dropped to my lips, then back to my eyes. “Say one more fucking word, Trash–tra. One more. And I won’t hesitate to wring your neck and leave you right here for the wolves.”

My breath hitched.

He stayed there, hovering, letting the threat sink in. Letting me feel how small I was and how trapped.

Then, just as suddenly, he pulled back.

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