I keep going as I watch out the window. The rain is getting harder, the skies getting darker, but traffic is at least moving.
“Anyway, we went, and it was going pretty good, at first. Then we went on one of those cart rides—the one with the ghosts, I think—”
“Haunted Mansion,” Hudson says, his voice steadier.
“Yeah, I think that’s it. Anyway, we went on the ride, and when we wentin,it was sunny as fuck. But when we got off, it looked like a damn hurricane was going to hit us. Mind you, we were not prepared in the least for rain. She wanted to leave. Thought we could maybe get our money back or something, but I wanted to wait it out. It always rains in Florida, you know? Seriously, like every day at 3:00 pm, it rains.”
Hudson doesn’t say anything, but I can hear his breath. In. Out. In. Out.
“So there we were, in the middle of Cinderella’s Castle or whatever, dodging strollers and disgruntled parents arguing over whether to stay or go, when she just turns heel and leaves.”
“She left you?” Hudson asks, the shock evident in his voice.
“Yup.”
“That’s fucked.”
I laugh, noting we’re almost five minutes away. Relief floods me.
“So there I was, no poncho, drenched in the middle of Magic Kingdom, alone, when the rain just… stopped.”
A smile forms on my face as I look out the window, noting one car pulled off to the side.
“Stop,” I order the driver. “Right there.”
The driver stops, and I grab my suitcase and all but leap out as I tap out my tip and wave him off. The rain is harsh, and I am soaked within the ten seconds it takes to get to his car, but the minute I see him through the window, I forget about the rain. He cracks the window, looking up at me like I’m a ghost. Like he doesn’t believe I’m here.
“Pop the trunk,” I say, my voice strangely thick.
He blinks, and I don’t miss the way he lets out a deep breath or the way his eyebrows furrow.
“Hudson,” I try again, and that gets his attention.
I hear the trunk, and head to the back. Sure enough, there’s a spare. I remove it and toss my suitcase in its place. My clothes are clinging to me, but I don’t care. All I can focus on is fixing this flat, and getting Hudson to the airport. I can worry about wet clothes and rescheduled flights later. Right now, my friend needs my help.
It takes me longer than I want to change the tire, and when I am done, I knock on the driver’s side door, and Hudson cracks the window again.
“I’ll drive.”
“Trey…”
“Come on, I’m getting wetter by the second, man.”
I can’t be sure because the window’s tinted and foggy, but I swear Hudson’s cheeks turn red.
I’ll bump the heat down when I get in.
Part of me expects him to argue or protest, but I’m pleasantly surprised when he doesn’t. He gets out, into the rain, and stands in front of me. I look down into his amber eyes, seeing the panic there, but there’s also something else.
Relief, maybe?
“Get in Passenger Princess,” I say with a smirk. “And remember to keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times. You’re flying Kelly Air, now.”
Hudson nods, his lip quivering as a smile tries to form. He rounds the car, heading to the passenger side, and I waste no time getting into the driver’s seat.
Wordlessly, we move in tandem. He fastens his seat belt as I adjust the mirrors and fasten my own. He slides his hands over his thighs as I adjust the seat and run a hand through my wet hair.
I turn to look at him. There is no music, I realize. It’s just… quiet.
