The Broken Road - A Zac Efron Novel (18+)

Chapter 88 - The Yankees

Hugh and I snuck out of yet another rehearsal early on a Wednesday to catch a Yankee game.  We took the 6 train to the Bronx and were swept up in a literal sea of baseball fans.  We'd just made our way into Yankee Stadium and were headed towards our seats when a strong hand gripped my shoulder from behind.

Startled, I turned around to see who it was.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, son.  I didn't want to yell your name out in a crowded place, looks like you're trying to keep a low profile," the familiar voice with just a hint of Southern drawl said.

"Mr. Vanderbilt," I smiled widely as I extended my hand.

"Please, Zac.  After all this time.  It's Steven," he said with the same warm, inviting tone his daughter always had.

"It's good to see you again, sir.  Mr....sorry, Steven. It's good to see you," I said nervously. "I'm in town a few months on my latest movie. This is my costar Hugh."

"It's a pleasure.  My wife is a big fan.  She loved you in The River. One of her favorite shows on Broadway," Steven said as he shook Hugh's hand.

"Thank you, that's very kind," Hugh said.

"Steve is...uh...he's," I said nervously.

"I was almost his father-in-law," he said with a smile on his face.

"Yes, I gathered that by the last name," Hugh teased me.

"Right," I laughed and I looked around for a sign of Jess.

"She's in the ladies room," he said, reading my mind.  "She'll be along shortly.  How long has it been since you saw each other last?"

"A few weeks," I said nervously.  "I ran into her on the downtown 2 train of all places."

"Really?" he asked, shocked.  "I didn't realize she still took the subway..." he trailed off.  "Anyway, here you are again.  What are the odds?"

"Maybe we should all go buy a lottery ticket," I joked as I caught a glimpse of Jess, making her way through the crowd.

She looked as perfect as ever, with her long blonde hair worn straight under a Yankee hat and aviator sunglasses, a white, v-neck t-shirt, cutoff denim shorts and white converse sneakers.

I expected her to be a little sour after our last interaction, but she smiled from ear-to-ear as she approached us.

"What the hell are you doing in Yankee Stadium?" she laughed as she hugged me.   "I really have seen everything now."

My hands wrapped around the small of her back, and without realizing what I was doing, I picked her up slightly off the ground.

"It's good to see you again.  You look...you look amazing," I blushed as I backed up and held both of her hands in mine, looking her over.  I caught Steven and Hugh smile at each other out of the corner of my eye.

"You look pretty good yourself," she smiled and I could see her cheeks flush.  "I can't believe you're here."

"We thought we'd sneak out early and catch a game," Hugh said as he extended his hand to her.  "I'm Hugh, I've heard a lot about you."

"Oh, sorry.  Hugh, this is Jessica.  Jess, this is my costar Hugh."

"It's lovely to meet you," she smiled.

"Gentlemen, we were about to check out the dugout.  Care to join us?" Steve asked Hugh and I.

"Oh, we don't want to impose," I said.

"Dad..." Jess protested.

"Nonsense, I insist," her dad said.  "We have box seats.  You'll join us. We can't let those go to waste," he persisted.