Dead Ends // Hugh Jackman

Chapter 8

Why is nothing going my way? How much longer is the universe going to torture me before I see this guy again?

Maybe I'm not trying hard enough, but I've gone through so many lengths to try and see him again. To find him somewhere. When I'm not working or volunteering, I'm out and about, which isn't something I do. Ever. I'm a homebody. I prefer to stay inside in the comforts of my bed rather than go to a store and socialize. I'm not exactly the partying type.

But, even going out of my comfort zone like this, I haven't seen him.

You know who I did see?

Hugh Jackman.

He was heading inside the theatre where Music Man will be performed. They're having rehearsals to prepare for opening night. He wasn't in a disguise whatsoever. I don't know why Milo would think he would wear one. From what I saw on the Internet, he has no problem with the paparazzi. He literally travels by scooter. It's actually kind of cute.

No, stop it. There I go again, getting distracted by Hugh.

I chide myself and keep walking. There's already a whole crowd of fans hoping to get a picture with him. I wouldn't get to see him face-to-face anyway, but it'd be something cool to tell Presly. Wait till he hears about this. He's going to go feral.

My eyes skirt the surroundings, at all the people there, then swerve to the sign that's being partially blocked by them so I can see the dates.

The first one is in a couple weeks on August 14th. Hopefully, I'll have my book back way before then. Not that I'll get to see the show anyway. I probably can't afford it. How much do tickets to Broadway plays cost? Especially if Hugh is the main lead.

Sighing, my gaze sweeps back to what's in front of me. As I do, I catch sight of Hugh in a break from the crowd. Wow, he looks exactly like he does on my laptop screen. I guess when you look that good, not even getting older can take that away.

To my surprise, our eyes meet for a moment, and I swear I see him smirk at me, but it's brief. It's there one second, and then the next, it's like it was never there.

Great, now my delusions are becoming hallucinations. Get it together.

I continue walking back to my apartment, making a quick stop at the cafe just in case the guy shows up. He doesn't but I get a peppermint tea, and now I'm home.

I throw the keys into a small bowl on the console table by the door.

"Milo?" I shout. We're supposed to get dinner together. It being Wednesday and all.

"I'm in here," he yells back.

It sounds like it's coming from the kitchen. I round the corner. My eyes first land on my brother but then immediately see someone else standing next to him. It's the last person I'd ever expect.

What the hell?

Wren? What's he doing here?

Milo motions to him as he talks. "I stopped by the cafe to see if you were there on the way home and this guy says he has some news on that stranger you gave the book to."

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion.

Okay, first, how'd he know that if he talked to Milo it would get back to me? Second, he gave me a hard time when I asked him about this over a week ago, and now he suddenly wants to help?

Wren looks like he doesn't want to be just as much as I don't want him to be.

"Look, I was just going to tell your brother to tell you but he insisted on you hearing it yourself." He glares at Milo as he speaks. "Which by the way, you two look nothing alike. I thought he was your boyfriend when I saw you two together last Saturday at the cafe."