Dead Ends // Hugh Jackman

Chapter 29

This chapter mentions domestic abuse. If this is triggering for you, I've denoted where it begins and ends with ∆.

...

I can't stop thinking about that kiss. About Hugh's hands on me, holding onto me tightly. Because I can't, I didn't sleep very well last night. I'm exhausted, and I'm sure it's evident.

"You look terrible." Milo walks into the kitchen as I sit at the table barely awake and trying to eat a bowl of cereal.

It doesn't take much effort to glower at him. "Thanks for the compliment." I guess I also still have enough energy to be sarcastic.

"I'm just saying," he grabs his own bowl out of the cupboard by the fridge and places it on the counter. "It's like you have 2 black eyes."

He's pulling my leg. I'm sure I don't look that horrendous. If it was that bad, I would've put on some concealer.

When I looked at my reflection this morning in the bathroom mirror, I had under eye bags but they weren't that noticeable. So, I let them be. Plus, the idea of having to put make-up on only makes me want to do it even less.

The only plan I have for the rest of the day is to finish breakfast and then go back to a bed that Hugh should no longer be in. I should be able to fall asleep with no problems.

Speaking of which, said problem comes into the kitchen soon after Milo.

"Good morning." Hugh is chipper. Looks like at least one of us actually got some shut-eye. My eyes narrow on him in envy.

Milo says it back, but I just take another bite of my Lucky Charms without a word.

He smiles at Milo, but it immediately falls when his eyes land on me. "Did you not get any sleep last night?"

Hugh sounds so worried, it's hard to stay upset at him for all the teasing he did before we got in bed. I don't know what to say to that when my face apparently shows exactly how tired I am.

For a moment, Hugh forgets Milo is nearby as he continues to talk. "I'll take the floor tonight so you can have the bed all to yourself."

Milo's movements still as he pours his favorite cereal, Cap'N Crunch, into his bowl, but he doesn't say anything. I think he's set on pretending he didn't just hear Hugh's implication that we shared the bed last night. We did, but it's fine by me if he wants to avoid the topic altogether. I honestly can't handle the situation if Milo happened to blow things out of proportion. I need at least 3 hours of sleep before I can deal with that.

As if that's not enough, my mom joins us right then. She gasps as she takes in my exhausted features.

I raise a hand, telling her not to mention it. "I already know. Don't need to hear it for a 3rd time."

She gives me a tight-lipped grin and goes to stand beside Milo.

"You two couldn't wait for me to make you breakfast?" My mom chooses to change the subject, for which I'm grateful for.

"It's only our second day back," I say nonchalantly. "You have all of this week and next to make us breakfast. We appreciate the sentiment though, Mom."

She sighs. "I guess you're right."

It doesn't take much to convince her to just eat cereal like the rest of us. Hugh got sidetracked by my racoons eyes for a second there, but even he follows suit. He picks Lucky Charms like me while my mom eats her granola mix. We're all at the table again, munching in silence. It's no surprise when my breaks it and asks what we want to do for the day.