The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9

ASTRA

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The rest of the afternoon/passed in a blur of classes I barely heard. Every time I walked down a hallway, I felt Zane’s eyes on me. Not just watching…hunting. Like I was prey that had suddenly become interesting.

I kept my head down, clutching my books like a shield, and tried to hold onto the tiny warm spark Jason had left in my chest. He’d asked for my number before lunch ended, I gave it to him with shaking hands.

Now, as the final bell rang, I was halfway to the side exit when a familiar voice called out.

“Astra, wait up!”

Jason jogged toward me, backpack slung over one shoulder, those striking violet eyes bright. A few girls slowed down to stare and whisper. He didn’t seem to notice.

“Hey,” he said, a little breathless, that velvet British accent wrapping around the word. “I was thinking… would you want to walk out together? I still don’t know my way around this place.”

I hesitated for half a second, then smiled.

*Oh my god, this is really happening.*

“Sure.”

We fell into step side by side. He kept a polite distance, hands in his pockets, chatting easily about how confusing American football was and how the cafeteria food was somehow worse than British school lunches. I actually laughed, a real laugh for the first time in weeks.

We were almost at the front gates when the air shifted.

Zane.

He was leaning against the hood of his sleek black car, arms crossed, Maya practically glued to his side. The moment his gaze landed on us, the easy smirk he wore for his friends vanished. What replaced it was colder. Meaner.

Jason noticed immediately.

“Friend of yours?” he asked quietly.

“Not exactly,” I muttered.

Zane pushed off the car and stalked toward us. Maya trailed behind, looking confused.

11:30 am P p p p.

Chapter 9.

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Trash tra, Zane drawled loudly enough for nearby students to hear. “You riding home or what?”

I stiffened. “I can take the bus.”

His jaw flexed. “You ride with me. Get in the car.”

Jason stepped slightly in front of me. She said she’s fine with the bus, mate.”

The polite word sounded like a challenge. Zane’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

“Who the fuck are you?”

“Jason.” Jason offered a calm smile. “And you are…?”

Zane ignored him completely, his glare slicing back to me. “You’ve got two seconds to get in the car before I drag you there myself.”

My stomach twisted. I could already imagine the phones coming out, the whispers, the videos.

Jason’s expression hardened. “I don’t think that’s necessary.”

Zane stepped closer, towering over us. The muscle in his cheek ticked.

“Stay out of shit that doesn’t concern you, new boy. Astra lives at my house. She’s *my* problem

now.”

The words hit like a slap.

*My problem.*

Heat crawled up my neck, shame and anger twisting together.

Jason glanced at me. “You live with him?”

I nodded miserably. “It’s… complicated.”

Zane’s lips curved into that cruel smile I hated. “Complicated. Yeah. That’s one word for it.”

Maya tugged on Zane’s arm, “Babe, let’s just go. She’s not worth it.”

But Zane didn’t move. His green eyes burned into mine, then flicked to Jason, then back again. Dark possession and rage swirled there.

I swallowed hard. “I’ll ride with you,” I told Zane quietly. Then, softer to Jason, “I’ll text Promise.”

you

later.

Jason looked like he wanted to argue, but he finally nodded. “Alright. Be safe, Astra.”

He gave Zane one last steady look before walking away.

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11:30 am Pppp.

Chapter 9

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The second jason was out of earshot, Zane grabbed my wrist- tight enough that I couldn’t pull away, but not hard enough to bruise this time.

“Get. In. The. Car.

Students stared. Phones came out I let him pull me across the lot and shove me into the

seat.

He peeled out of the parking lot like he was trying to outrun his own fury.

The silence inside the car was suffocating.

passenger

I kept my eyes fixed on the blurring trees, arms wrapped around my bag. My wrist still tingled where his fingers had been.

After a few minutes, his low, rough voice cut through the tension.

“You think that pretty–boy Brit is going to save you?”

I didn’t answer.

He let out a short, bitter laugh. “You really are pathetic. One smile and a fake accent and you’re ready to spread your legs for the first guy who doesn’t call you Trash–tra.”

The words stung. I turned to glare at him.

Jason was nice to me. That’s more than I can say for you.”

Zane’s grip tightened on the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white.

“Nice,” he repeated, like the word tasted rotten. “You think nice is going to keep you safe in my house? In my world?”

Without warning, he swerved off the main road onto a narrow dirt path through the woods. The car bounced violently over roots and rocks before he slammed on the brakes in a small clearing,

My heart shot into my throat,

“Zane…”

“Shut up.” He killed the engine. The sudden silence was deafening. “Look at me.”

I turned slowly. His eyes were wild, chest heaving. That dark look I’d seen in homeroom was back but stronger now.

“You think you can just move into my house, eat at my table, and flirt with some new asshole in front of the whole fucking school?” His voice dropped to a dangerous growl. “You don’t get to have nice things, Astra. Not while I’m breathing.”

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11:30 am P PPP.

Chapter 9.–.

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He irached over and grabbed my chin, forcing my eyes to stay on his. His fingers were warm and rough. My pulse hammered against his thumb.

“I’m going to make you regret every second you spend under my roof,” he said, almost softly. “I’m going to ruin every little moment of peace you think you’ve found. Starting with your new boyfriend.”

He leaned in closer, so close I could smell his cologne and the faint mint on his breath.

“And when you finally break…” His gaze dropped to my mouth for a heartbeat. “You’ll only have me

to run to.”

Them he released me like I burned him, restarted the car, and reversed out of the clearing like nothing had happened.

The rest of the drive was dead silent.

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