The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Chapter 34

ASTRA

By the time the final bell rang, my entire body felt exhausted.

My nose still throbbed dully, and every time I accidentally touched the tender skin beneath my eye, pain flared sharply

But that wasn’t the worst part.

The worst part was feeling Zane Ashton’s eyes on me for the rest of the day.

Every hallway.

Every class.

Every stolen glance.

Like he was tracking my every breath.

I shoved my books into my bag quickly, trying to ignore the whispers floating around campus.

“Did you see Ashton lose it in gym?*

“He almost killed Brock.”

“Why does he suddenly care about Hawthorne?

‘Maybe they’re secretly hooking up…”

I tightened my grip on the zipper and hurried out before I heard anything else.

“Astra!”

Jason jogged toward me, violet eyes softening with worry the second they landed on my bruised face.

“Jesus,” he muttered. “Your eye looks worse now.”

I touched the swelling instinctively. “It’s not that bad.”

“It is that bad,” he said gently, falling into step beside me. “You sure you still want to go to the meeting?”

“I have to,” I replied, forcing cheerfulness into my voice. “Away game this Friday. Spirit Week next week, we have a lot

Jason laughed softly. “There she is. Miss President.”

For a few minutes, walking with him felt safe. Normal.

Then we turned the corner.

Zane was leaning against the wall outside the meeting room like he’d been waiting.

Of course he was.

His black compression shirt clung to his broad chest, still slightly damp from practice. The second his eyes landed on my bruised face, his entire expression darkened.

Jason stiffened beside me.

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10:22 Fri, Jul 30.

Chapter 34

Zane pushed off the wall slowly, green eyes dragging over my swollen nose and the ugly bruise under my eye. His jaw dexed

hard.

“You look like shit,” he said flatly

My cheeks burned. “Gee, thanks.”

“Wasn’t a compliment.” His gaze lingered on the bruise like it personally offended him. “Shouldn’t you be resting instead of playing perfect little president?”

Jason frowned. “She’s fine.”

Zane’s eyes slid to him, cold and dismissive. “Did I ask you?”

The tension between them crackled instantly.

I stepped forward quickly before it could explode.

“Let’s just get inside,” I said brightly, pushing the door open. “We’re already late.”

The meeting room was full and buzzing. The second I walked in with a very obvious black eye, the noise died.

Priya gasped. “Astra, what happened to your-”

“I’m fine!” I chirped, waving it off with a bright smile that hurt my face. “Just a clumsy gym moment. Let’s not make it a big deal. We have an away game Friday and Spirit Week next week. Priorities.”

I dropped into the president’s chair and launched into the agenda like my life depended on it.

Zane took the seat directly across from me.

And stared.

The entire meeting, his eyes never left my face. Every time I assigned a task, his stare burned hotter. When I mentioned helping with banner painting on Wednesday, he cut in coldly.

“You’re not doing banners.”

The room went quiet.

I blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” His voice was low, arrogant, final. “You’re not standing around painting posters with a fucked-up tace and bruised knees. Sit this one out.”

Jason exhaled sharply beside me. “She can decide what she’s capable of.”

Zane didn’t even glance at him. His eyes stayed locked on mine, dark and unyielding-

“I’m not asking, President.”

Heat flooded my checks. Half the committee was staring at us like we were live entertainment.

I forced my voice steady. “I’m perfectly capable, Zane. Thanks for the ‘concern.”

His jaw ticked.

He stayed mostly silent for the rest of the meeting, but every time Jason leaned over to suggest something to me, Zane’s fingers tightened around his pen like he wanted to snap it in half.

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10:22 Fri,

Chapter 34

Zane pushed off the wall slowly, green eyes dragging over my swollen nose and the ugly bruise under my eye. His jaw dexed hard.

“You look like shit,” he said flatly.

My cheeks burned. “Gee, thanks.”

“Wasn’t a compliment.” His gaze lingered on the bruise like it personally offended him. “Shouldn’t you be resting instead of playing perfect little president?”

jason frowned. “She’s fine.”

Zane’s eyes slid to him, cold and dismissive. “Did I ask you?”

The tension between them crackled instantly.

I stepped forward quickly before it could explode.

“Let’s just get inside,” I said brightly, pushing the door open. “We’re already late.”

The meeting room was full and buzzing. The second I walked in with a very obvious black eye, the noise died.

Priya gasped. “Astra, what happened to your-”

“I’m fine!” I chirped, waving it off with a bright smile that hurt my face. “Just a clumsy gym moment. Let’s not make it a big deal. We have an away game Friday and Spirit Week next week. Priorities.”

I dropped into the president’s chair and launched into the agenda like my life depended on it.

Zane took the seat directly across from me.

And stared.

The entire meeting, his eyes never left my face. Every time I assigned a task, his stare burned hotter. When I mentioned helping with banner painting on Wednesday, he cut in coldly.

“You’re not doing banners.”

The room went quiet.

I blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” His voice was low, arrogant, final. “You’re not standing around painting posters with a fucked-up tace and bruised knees. Sit this one out.”

Jason exhaled sharply beside me. “She can decide what she’s capable of.”

Zane didn’t even glance at him. His eyes stayed locked on mine, dark and unyielding.

D

“I’m not asking, President.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. Half the committee was staring at us like we were live entertainment.

I forced my voice steady. “I’m perfectly capable, Zane. Thanks for the concern.”

His jaw ticked.

He stayed mostly silent for the rest of the meeting, but every time Jason leaned over to suggest something to me, Zane’s fingers tightened around his pen like he wanted to snap it in half.

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10:22 Fri, Jul 30

Chapter 34

When the meeting finally ended, I packed up quickly.

Jason stood. “I’ll walk you to your scooter-”

“She’s coming with me,” Zane said, already standing. No room for argument.

Jason looked ready to fight.

I quickly touched his arm. “It’s okay. I’ll text you later.”

The room emptied fast.

Until only Zane and I remained.

He walked around the table and stopped right in front of me. Close. Too close. Cedarwood and heat wrapped around me

Zane reached out and tilted my chin up with two fingers, surprisingly gentle. His thumb brushed just beneath my bruised eye.

“You’re an idiot,” he murmured, voice rough. “Smiling and playing perfect president like you didn’t get smashed in the face today.”

My breath caught.

“I’m fine.” I whispered.

“You’re not.” His eyes darkened as they traced the damage. “And the next person who puts their hands on you is going to wish they were never born.”

The raw possessiveness in his voice made my stomach flip violently.

I stepped back, breaking his hold.

“Why do you care?” I asked, voice shaking. “You hate me. You’ve always hated me. So why are you acting like this?”

Zane stared at me for a long second, something dangerous flickering in his eyes.

Then that familiar arrogant smirk slowly curved his lips.

He grabbed my bag from the table and slung it over his shoulder like it belonged to him.

“Come on, Trash-tra. I’m driving you home.”

I stood there frozen, heart racing, cheeks burning.

And even though every survival instinct screamed at me to run the other way…

I followed him.

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