The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 197

The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback

Next Year

ASTRA

I eyed the trail disappearing between the trees before glancing at Zane beside me.

“You’re taking me into the woods.”

His hand stayed wrapped around mine as he led me farther beneath the trees. “For a little while.”

The last of the daylight was fading fast, shadows stretching across the ground.

“It’s getting dark.”

“We don’t have much farther to go.”

I slowed enough to tug him back. “How much is not much?”

“A few minutes.”

That was the closest thing to an answer I’d gotten since we left the carnival.

Fallen leaves crunched beneath our shoes as we continued deeper between the trees. The faint sound of water carried from somewhere ahead. Another cold breeze slipped beneath my sweater, and I tucked my free hand into the sleeve.

“You cold?” Zane asked.

“A little.”

He released my hand only long enough to shrug out of his jacket and settle it around my shoulders.

“Zane, you’ll be cold.”

“Put it on.”

I slipped my arms into the sleeves. The jacket was far too big, falling past my hands and wrapping me in the warmth he’d left behind.

“Better?”

“Yeah.”

His hand found mine again.

The path narrowed, and Zane moved closer as he guided me around roots and uneven ground. Neither of us spoke Atter an afternoon of flashing rides, screaming crowds, and music from every direction, the quiet felt good.

Then a warm flicker appeared between the trees ahead.

“What’s that?”

Zane gave my hand a gentle tug. “Keep walking”

The glow grew brighter as the path curved toward it. A few more steps carried us beyond the trees, and whatever I’d been about to say disappeared.

A clearing stretched along the edge of a small lake, illuminated by warm lights strung between the surrounding trees. Glass lanterns glowed along the grass, leading toward a large blanket near the water with pillows and thick throws arranged

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around a low wooden table. Food and drinks sat beside a small arrangement of flowers. Beyond everything, the lake stretched into the evening darkness, its surface catching the lights in trembling streaks of gold.

For several seconds, I could only take it in. The carnival had been loud and packed. This felt like something he’d chosen just for the two of us.

I turned to him. “Zane. you did this?”

He dragged a hand through his hair. “I had some help setting it up.”

He’d planned all of this for me. The food, the flowers, the lights, even the extra blankets because he’d known how cold would get.

My eyes settled on the lights trembling across the lake.

“No one’s ever done something like this for me.”

The admission came out softer than I meant it to.

Zane was quiet long enough that I finally looked at him. There was no teasing in his expression this time. He looked almost uncertain, like my reaction mattered more than he wanted me to know.

My chest tightened.

Before I could overthink it, I stepped closer, rose onto my toes, and curled my fingers into the front of his shirt.

Then I brought my mouth to his.

Zane went still beneath my hands.

The surprise only lasted a second before his arm circled my waist and pulled me closer. His other hand slid into my hair as his mouth moved against mine-firm, unhurried. When his tongue brushed mine, heat sparked low in my stomach. I kissed him back the same way, letting the pressure linger without pushing deeper, just that slow slide of lips and the brief, heated touch of tongue that made my pulse skip.

The cold disappeared.

When I finally eased back, my fingers stayed curled in his shirt.

Zane looked down at me.

“What was that for?”

“Thank you.”

The softness that touched his expression made my chest squeeze again

“Happy birthday, Trouble.”

I smiled and slipped from his arms before I could lose my nerve, heading toward the picnic.

Up close, I could see everything spread across the low table. Sandwiches, fruit, pastries, several covered dishes, and a thermos beside two mugs.

“Is that hot chocolate?”

“Figured you’d be cold.”

I lowered myself onto the blanket while Zane poured us each a mug. Heat seeped into my fingers the moment I wrapped

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both hands around mine.

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We ate slowly, the conversation wandering from school to the carnival. It was easy in a way being with Zane had never been before-no argument waiting around every corner.

While reaching for another pastry, I realized he’d chosen the ones I always took from the kitchen at home.

My fingers paused over the plate.

He’d noticed.

I took one without saying anything and caught Zane watching me. He said nothing about it either, and somehow that made the warmth spreading through me worse.

By the time most of the food was gone, the temperature had dropped enough for our breath to cloud faintly in the air. Zane pulled one of the thick blankets around us, and I settled against his side while his arm came around my shoulders.

The conversation faded until all that remained was the quiet movement of the lake and the warmth of him beside me. Lights shimmered across the water while I rested my head against his shoulder.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt this peaceful.

This might be the best birthday I’ve ever had.”

His arm tightened around me. “Might?”

I nudged him. “Don’t ruin it.”

His lips brushed my hair.

“I mean it. I murmured. Today was…

I searched for the right word and gave up.

Zane’s thumb moved slowly over my shoulder. “You liked it?”

Something about the question caught me off guard After everything he’d done, he was still waiting to hear that he’d gotten it right

“I loved it All of it

His lips brushed my hair again “You don’t have to keep thanking me

Maybe I did. He had no idea what today meant to me

Every time he’d reached for my hand, every picture we’d taken, every stupid thing that had made me laugh had become something I wanted to hold on to

Zane shifted and reached into his pocket Soft music floated from his phone

I lifted my head “What are you doing?”

Instead of answering, he stood and offered me his hand.

“Zane, I don’t dance.”

“Neither do I

“I’ve seen you dance.”

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His mouth twitched. “Then you already know how bad this is going to be.”

That was enough to pull a smile from me.

I slipped my fingers into his.

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He helped me up and drew me against him, one arm settling around my waist as my hands found his shoulders. We didn’t really dance so much as move slowly beneath the lights.

After a while, my arms slipped around his neck.

There was no crowded ballroom this time. No hundreds of eyes watching us. Nothing to make me wonder what Zane wanted from me.

I already knew.

My cheek came to rest against his chest, his heartbeat steady beneath my car.

“Next year, I’m taking you somewhere without roller coasters.”

My fingers tightened behind his neck.

Next year.

Two words that shouldn’t have hurt nearly as much as they did.

“You’re already planning my next birthday?”

His hand traveled slowly along my back. “Yeah.”

The answer came so easily that my throat tightened.

When his arms tightened around me, I let myself sink into him, wishing I could make the night last longer than it would.

For tonight, I could pretend this wasn’t ending. That there would be birthdays after this one, places he hadn’t taken me yet, and pictures we hadn’t taken.

“Zane?”

“Hmm?”

I lifted my head.

There were so many things pressing against the back of my throat that saying any of them felt dangerous.

I’m leaving.

I’m going to miss you.

I don’t want tonight to end.

None of them came out.

Instead, my fingers tightened behind his neck.

“I’m really glad you found me.”

Zane held my gaze for a long moment before his hand came up, his thumb brushing gently along my cheek.

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“So am I.”

I leaned into his touch, and when he lowered his head. I met him halfway.

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The moment our mouths met, something tight and electric cracked open in my chest. Zane’s lips pressed harder this time. surer, and I felt the low sound he made against my mouth before his tongue slid against mine It wasn’t careful. It was deeper, hungriet–just enough to steal my breath and send heat racing under my skin. I kissed him back the same way. fingers tightening in his hair, letting the pressure build until my whole body felt lit up from the inside.

There was none of the playfulness from the photo booth this time. Nothing rushed or stolen.

Just Zane holding me beneath the lights while I kissed him back and tried desperately not to think about tomorrow.

Tonight, I was still his Trouble.

And for however many hours I had left, I wanted to stay that way.

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10:43 Mon, Aug 17

The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback

More Time

ZANE

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We kept moving beneath the string lights, her arms around my neck and the music playing quietly from my phone, but Astra had gone strangely still against me. Her cheek pressed closer to my chest, and the easy way she’d been swaying only moments ago was gone.

I slowed, running my hand along her back. “You okay?”

She nodded without lifting her head.

“Trouble.”

“I’m okay.”

Bullshit.

I tried to lean back enough to see her, but her arms tightened around me before I got far.

“Astra.”

“Can we stay like this for a minute?”

Whatever I’d been about to ask died there.

I folded my arms around her and let her stay exactly where she was. Her breathing was warm through my shirt. I rested my cheek against her hair.

Today had probably caught up with her. Or maybe this had been building for much longer.

She’d been holding herself together for days. Being here, away from everything for a few hours, might have finally given her enough room to stop.

Astra eventually shifted, but she didn’t pull away. She stayed close as she turned toward the lake.

Then the lights caught the wetness on her cheek.

“Baby?”

I wiped the tear away with my thumb. Another followed almost immediately.

“Sorry,” she whispered.

“What are you apologizing for?”

“I don’t know.”

I brought both hands to her face. “Talk to me.”

She shook her head. “There’s nothing to talk about. Today was perfect, and now I’m crying like an idiot for no reason

Her breath broke at the end.

“Then cry.”

Astra went quiet.

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“I’m serious. You don’t have to hold it in.”

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She tried to answer, but the sob that followed tore through whatever control she had left. She covered her mouth and turned away, but I pulled her into me before she could retreat.

“Come here.”

“I’m sorry-

“Stop apologizing.”

She couldn’t finish. Another sob shook through her as she pressed her face into my chest. I tightened my arms around her and let her cry.

I pressed my lips into her hair. “Let it out, Trouble.”

“I’m ruining everything.”

“Ruining what?”

“Tonight.”

“You think this matters to me?”

She tried to pull herself together anyway, breathing unevenly against my chest.

“Don’t.” I rubbed my hand slowly down her back. “You don’t have to do that with me.”

That only made her cry harder.

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Her legs gave, and I went with her, lowering us onto the blanket. Astra ended up tucked against me as I pushed the hair away from her damp face.

“Hey.” I touched her cheek. “Look at me, baby.”

When she finally raised her face, her eyes were already red, tears clinging to her lashes. Seeing her like that fucking hurt.

I kissed one tear away beneath her eye, then the other, before moving to her temple and forehead.

“You’re okay. I’ve got you.”

Astra wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled herself against me hard enough to knock me off balance I steadied us and held her tighter as she buried her face against my neck

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“Trouble, if you apologize one more fucking time for crying, we’re going to have a problem”

A small laugh broke through the tears. I pressed my lips to her temple

“There you are.”

“I hate you,” she mumbled.

“Better.”

The laugh didn’t last. Her breathing hitched again, and I rubbed my hand along her back as the tears returned.

“You don’t have to be okay for me.”

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