The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 98

Chapter 98

Chapter 98

ASTRA

Jason and I made our way out of the school, his hand comfortably linked with mine.

The afternoon sun felt warm on my skin, and for a moment it almost felt normal, walking with my boyfriend/after a long day, talking about nothing important.

“I’ll drop you off today,” Jason said with a soft smile. “No need for the bus.”

I was about to thank him when I felt it.

Then felt him before I saw him.

That heavy, burning stare.

Zane leaned against his car in the parking lot, arms crossed over his broad chest, green eyes locked directly on us. His black and gold letterman jacket made him look even bigger, more dangerous.

His gaze dropped to our linked hands. My fingers twitched with the sudden urge to pull away.

Jason’s grip tightened instead. “Why is he staring at you like that?” he muttered, irritation thick in his voice. “Doesn’t the jock have better things to do than stalk people? Pathetic.”

The words sat strangely in my chest. Jason had every right to hate Zane, the bruises on his face were proof enough. Still, the bitterness in his voice made me uncomfortable.

Zane pushed off the car and started toward us with that easy, commanding stride. A few students glanced his way, but his focus never wavered.

He stopped right in front of us, sparing Jason only a brief, dismissive glance before looking at me.

Just me.

“Let’s go,” he said, as if there was no question I would obey.

Jason’s jaw tightened. “She’s not going anywhere with you, Ashton. She’s my girlfriend now and..”

Zane laughed.

The sound was low, genuine, and completely unexpected. Even Jason faltered.

“Your girlfriend?” Zane repeated, clearly entertained. “That’s adorable.”

Jason’s face darkened with fury.

Zane didn’t even look at him. His attention stayed locked on me. “Tell your little chihuahua to stop yapping before I lose interest in being nice. He’s awfully brave for someone whose face still remembers me.”

“Zane,” I whispered.

He ignored me completely.

“Are you done?” he asked me, voice low.

That was somehow worse.

Chapter 98

“I have to go with Jason,” I said quickly, my voice firmer than I felt.

Zane’s eyes narrowed dangerously. Jason’s grip on my hand became almost painful.

55 vounay

Zane let out a low, dark laugh that sent chills racing down my spine. “You have to?” He sounded irritated now. Tell me, Trouble… since when do you have to do anything except what I say?”

The tension crackled between them like a live wire. I sighed inwardly. This was going to get ugly fast.

I gently pulled my hand from Jason’s, ignoring the hurt that flashed across his face. Guilt twisted in my stomach, but I didn want a fight.

“Jason… it’s fine,” I said softly. “We live in the same house. It’s easier if I ride with him.”

Jason stared at me like I’d slapped him. “Astra…”

“Please,” I whispered. “I don’t want any more problems.”

He held my gaze for a long, painful second, jaw clenched. Finally, he exhaled. “Okay.”

He leaned in to kiss me goodbye.

Before his lips could touch mine, Zane’s hand shot out and yanked me away. “Come on,” he growled, already dragging me toward his car.

“Zane!” I protested, stumbling after him.

He ignored me, opened the passenger door, and practically pushed me inside. The door slammed shut.

Then he turned, looked straight at Jason, and flipped him off with a delighted smirk.

As we pulled out of the parking lot, I glanced back once. Jason was still standing there, watching us drive away.

The guilt in my chest felt like lead.

Zane’s hand landed on my thigh, heavy and possessive. “Stop thinking about him,” he said quietly, eyes on the road.

I didn’t answer.

I just stared out the window, heart heavy, wondering how everything had gotten so complicated.

A few minutes into the drive, the silence became too heavy.

“Drop me off at St. Mary’s, please,” I said quietly.

Zane glanced at me. I braced myself for a cutting remark, something sharp and cruel that would remind me exactly who he

was.

Instead, he only nodded once.

“Okay.”

The rest of the ride was silent.

When we pulled up to the hospital, I stepped out quickly, expecting him to drive off. Instead, he killed the engine and got

out too.

I stiffened.

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Chapter 98

“Why are you following me?”

He closed the car door with a soft click and looked down at me, green eyes impossible to read.

“What does it look like, Trouble? I’m going into the hospital with you.”

I panicked.

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“What? No, you don’t have to.” The words came out too fast. “I can take the bus back to the estate when I’m done. Thank you for the ride, but you can leave.”

The last thing I wanted was for Zane to see this part of my life.

The hospital.

The endless bills.

The reality that my mother spent more time in this building than she did at home.

Everything I’d worked so hard to keep separate from the Ashton family.

Zane frowned.

“Because I want to. And I have to drive you home.”

I bit my lip hard, heart pounding. I knew no matter what I said, he would refuse.

“Fine,” I whispered, defeated.

I walked quickly toward the entrance, Zane following close behind. The familiar smell of antiseptic hit me as we stepped inside.

One of the nurses at the front desk smiled brightly when she saw me.

“Astra! We haven’t seen you in days. How are you, sweetheart?”

Her eyes flicked curiously to Zane.

“And who is this handsome young man? Is this your boyfriend?”

I opened my mouth to say no, but Zane beat me to it.

“Yes,” he said smoothly, voice surprisingly polite and gentlemanly. He even gave her a small, charming smile.

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