I Don't Mix Business with Pleasure

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓔𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽

                                       𝓕𝓵𝓸𝓻𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮

This hotel room is so hot. After me and Landon's conversation, he insisted that he needed to go off and take some time to himself. It's nice to feel like I know something about him now and the way he feels. I have no idea where he went because the power is still out. I have a tiny bit of battery life left, so I decide to call Hudson.

"Hey, you guys make it there alright? I haven't been able to get a hold of Landon." He asks the second he picks up. I can tell I woke him up with the phone call.

"I wouldn't say that. We landed, there's severe storms and wind, one of our hotel rooms is out of service so we're sharing, and to top it off the electricity is out and it's so hot in this building."

"Why didn't you call me and let me know this sooner?" He asks, worry in his tone.

"Because it's just been hectic."

"Is Landon at least being alright to you? I'm so sorry, Florence."

"Surprisingly, yes. He's off on a walk right now."

"Wow, I was worried he'd be awful. I tried telling my dad to send someone else but he insisted that Landon needed this trip."

I decided not to say anything to Hudson about me and Landon's talk. It feels like it was too personal not to keep it between the two of us.

"Yeah, he's been okay."

"Remember what I said, Florence. Don't let him pull you in."

"I know. Have you ever really tried talking to him? Like really tried to get into his mind?"

"Yeah, me and my dad have never been able to get him to open up. We gave up on it long ago."

"But he's your brother, Hudson."

"Well yeah, but you don't know how hard it's been to keep him in check these last few years. After trying for so long and seeing no change, we gave up. Nobody will ever be able to get through to him. Not even you. So please don't waste your time." He sighs on the other end of the call.

"But you should never give up on your family."

"Florence, I already know the type of person you are. You're too good of a person to be dealing with someone like him. I'd hate to see your spirit broken because he ends up hurting you. I'm just looking out for you. You know that right? You're too nice and seem to need some tough love right now."

"I know you're just looking out for me. But by seeming to doubt me that only fuels my fire." I laugh.

"Florence, don't make me fly over there." Hudson laughs.

We both start laughing when the room door opens. Landon walks in and I stop.

"He's back, so I'm going to let you go."

"Alright, keep me posted. If the electricity isn't back on soon or you guys end up wanting a new hotel, let me know. I'll speak with my dad and I'm sure he can arrange something."

"Thank you, I will. I'll talk to you later."

We both hang up and Landon comes back in, lying down on the bed.

"Who was that?" He asks flatly, looking up at the ceiling.

"Your brother."

"Oh, I see."

"What's wrong?" I whisper.

"I went down to the front desk. They think the power will be back on in a few hours. The power outage is a mile out. I also called around until my phone died. Every single hotel within the vicinity is booked out. So I guess we're stuck together until the pipe is fixed or I find an opening somewhere else. They all put me on a waitlist." He sighs.