Dead Ends // Hugh Jackman

Chapter 35

As expected, New Year's was chaotic. Aunt Grace got really drunk, which made playing board games all that much more fun, but word to the wise, practice safe drinking. Try not to overdo it, and if that's the worst case scenario, make sure to always have a designated driver and friend to take care of you.

That person ended up being Dina. She took Aunt Grace home with a grim expression. I got the feeling that Grace perhaps drinks a little too much, too often. I hope everything is okay, but I make a mental note to text Dina later. We switched numbers just before the night started. I also got Daniel's contact too. I'll have to get Aunt Grace's and Lily's information from Mom, because Hugh and I are leaving for New York tomorrow, and I don't think I'll be seeing them to say goodbye.

This trip has felt so short. I've thought about my father a few times during it, and I never said it before, but I kind of thought he would show up at some point. I'm glad yet at the same time I wish he would've made an effort to stop by.

No, I don't want to see him. Don't get that twisted. I just thought that if he cared at all, he would've at least tried to make an appearance. So, I'm relieved and sad all at once.

Guess he's going to cut us out of his life entirely. Whatever his reasons for that may be, I hope he makes the changes that are necessary to live a better life, and not take away from someone else's, like he did for Mom, Milo, and I.

By the time we get home from the celebration, I'm swamped. I'm so exhausted, I don't even want to take a shower, even though I should considering I reek of alcohol.

I plop on the bed, ready to give into the exhaustion brimming my body.

"I hate to ruin whatever plans you have, but you should really take a bath." Hugh tugs off his jacket and tosses it on the mattress beside me.

"I don't want to." I groan, which makes him laugh.

"Sweetheart, I'm afraid you're going to have to." He takes a hold of my hand closest to him and tugs at it lightly. "Come on, get up."

With a sigh, I do as he says.

These last 2 weeks have been great for Hugh and I. As much as I can't wait to head back and meetup with Ophelia, a part of me wants to stay here a longer, hidden away from the world. Because once we do get to New York, things will be different.

Hugh will return to his busy schedule. He's going to be in a new Broadway show, and he's already promised me the best seats available.

But the matter I'm most concerned with is going public with our relationship. I'll be honest, the thought high-key terrifies the shit out of me. I've lived my whole life being a wallflower and staying out of the spotlight, but the second we hard launch, that's all going to go away. The fact I'll be with Hugh is comforting. I love him so much, I don't think I'd be able to do it if I wasn't so infatuated. He's worth it, so I'm going to be a big girl and tell my anxiety to get lost. Easier said than done. That won't make it go away, but it does make it more manageable.

Hugh pulls me back out of the guestroom and into the bathroom. We're alone again for a little while. Mom and Milo stayed behind to help clean up.

If they were here, I don't think Hugh would undress me with the door wide open after turning on the shower so the water will warm up.

He's too good to me. Every time he does something like this, so selfless and sweet, I fall even more for him. I should be the one taking care of him, but instead he's the one looking out for me.

"Hugh," I whine with a chuckle as he lifts my shirt up and over my head. "You've made your point. I can do the rest myself."

He doesn't listen, sinking to one knee with his hands on my hips.