The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 137

Chapter 137

ZANE

The library was too fucking quiet.

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I shoved another book onto the shelf with more force than necessary, the thud echoing down the aisle. Mrs. Patel had me on shelving duty as part of this ridiculous community service sentence. Stack, sort, repeat. Mind-numbing bullshit, but it kept me here after school.

Kept me close to where she would be.

My Trouble.

My Star.

I glanced at the clock for the tenth time. She should’ve been here by now. The thought of her walking through those doors, ponytail swinging, cheeks already turning that pretty shade of pink the second she saw me was the only thing keeping me from losing my shit after yesterday.

I grabbed another stack of returns and started shoving them into place, not even bothering to check the call numbers. My mind was somewhere else, replaying the way her breath had hitched when I whispered in her

ear.

A sharp voice snapped me out of it.

“Zane Ashton!”

Mrs. Patel marched down the aisle, hands on her hips, looking thoroughly unimpressed.

I straightened, trying to look innocent. “Yes, ma’am?”

She pointed at the shelf I’d just finished. “You’ve put three romance novels in the history section, two cookbooks in science fiction, and I’m pretty sure that biography of Einstein is now living next to a romance about vampires.”

I glanced at the shelf. Oops.

She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “This is the third time today. Are you even trying, or are you just here to look pretty and cause chaos?”

I flashed her my most charming smile, the one that usually got me out of trouble.

“Sorry, Mrs. P. My head’s somewhere else today.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Somewhere else better be focused on doing your job correctly, young man. Or I’ll extend your service hours.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

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She muttered something about “silly boys” under her breath and walked away, shaking her head.

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I smirked and went back to actually paying attention this time. But my eyes kept drifting toward the entrance.

*Come on, Star. Where are you?*

I wanted her here. In *our* space. Not at home where my father could walk in, not where the twins could interrupt. Just us. In the quiet rows of books where I could corner her properly and do what I want to her.

The door finally opened.

Astra stepped in, backpack slung over one shoulder, hair in that neat ponytail I loved tugging on. She scanned the room, looking a little nervous, then spotted me.

Her cheeks turned that perfect shade of pink instantly.

I leaned against the shelf, arms crossed, watching her walk toward me.

“There you are, Star,” I said, voice low enough that only she could hear. “Took you long enough.”

She stopped a few feet away, clutching her bag strap like a lifeline.

“We’re doing the lesson here?” she asked quietly.

I nodded, pushing off the shelf and stepping closer.

“Figured it was safer. Less chance of you running away from me.”

She rolled her eyes.

I reached out and gently tugged her ponytail, letting the soft strands slide through my fingers.

She swatted my hand away, blushing harder, but didn’t step back.

I grinned.

This was going to be a very interesting tutoring session.

Astra rolled her eyes but stepped closer anyway, reaching for the stack of books I’d been butchering.

“Give me those before you ruin the entire Dewey Decimal system,” she muttered.

I handed them over with a smirk, watching her sort through them with quick, efficient movements. She was good at this, neat, focused, like she actually cared about getting it right. It was annoyingly adorable.

She started sliding books into their proper places, ponytail swinging with every reach. I leaned against the shelf beside her, arms crossed, just enjoying the view.

“Stop staring,” she said without looking at me.

“Can’t help it.”

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She shot me a look, but her cheeks turned a deeper pink. “You really don’t know when to quit, do you?”

I smirked. “Yet here you are, helping me anyway.”

She didn’t reply, just kept shelving. I moved with her, handing her books when she needed them, brushing my fingers against hers every chance I got. Every little touch made her breath hitch just slightly.

Mrs. Patel walked by a few minutes later, checking our progress. She nodded approvingly at Astra’s work.

“Much better. Thank you, dear. I’m stepping out for a quick meeting with the principal. The library closes in forty-five minutes. Make sure everything’s in order before you leave.”

She gave me a warning look. “And *you* behave, Mr. Ashton.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said with my best innocent smile.

The second she was gone, I turned back to Astra.

“Perfect timing,” I murmured, stepping closer until her front was against the shelf. “Now we have the place mostly to ourselves.”

She swallowed, clutching a book to her chest like a shield. “We’re supposed to be studying.”

“We are.” I plucked the book from her hands and set it aside. “But I’ve been thinking about you all day. About how you looked on that field, all flushed and competitive…..so fucking hot.”

Her breath caught. “Zane..”

“Sit down, Star,” I said softly, nodding toward the study table in the corner.

She hesitated, then moved to the table, pulling out her notebook and textbook. I sat across from her, but my eyes never left her face.

We were studying The Great Gatsby, mid-term prep for October. She started explaining themes and symbolism, voice steady at first. I listened, asking questions just to keep her talking, just to watch her lips

move.

But every few minutes, I’d reach across the table and brush my fingers over her hand, or tuck hair behind her ear.

She kept swatting me away, cheeks flushed. “Focus.”

“I am focused,” I purred “On you.”

She groaned, but there was a tiny smile she tried to hide.

This was exactly where I wanted her.

Trapped with me.

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