"The place looks great from out here. You look good." Cruz said with a smile. Lightning glanced down at his suit and snickered saying "Yeah uh.. It's not what I would usually wear." Cruz snorted a little bit as she laughed admitting "Na, you look awesome! I on the other hand, undersressed. I didn't know what to wear so.. Went with something more.. Casual." But she did look good. Maybe even lost some of the weight she had had after her baby.
"You look good Cruz." Lightning complimented. Cruz smiled and asked "What are you doing outside? Isn't this your party?" Lightning faked a little bit of a laugh answering "Yeah. It is um.. Just needed some air. Gets.. A little stuffy in there." Cruz nodded and the two stood there a moment. It was peaceful, but not for long as Cleo ran out whining "Lightning! Lightning I am so sorry about what you saw!" She grabbed his arm but Lightning pulled away snapping "Don't Cleo! Just leave! It's fine." "No! It's not and I am sorry!" Lightning shook his head asking "Okay! What do you want from me?" Cruz just stood there awkwardly watching. Cleo frowned answering "Nothing.. I just want to say I'm sorry.. I didn't want it to end like this but.." Lightning rolled his eyes saying "Just go. It's over. I'm relieved, really. Now go." Cleo was hurt but more embarrassed. She glanced at Cruz then left.
"Wow um okay.. That?.." Cruz muttered a little confused. Lightning sighed trying to explain "That was Cleo. Um.. You know, she's.. Not important anyway." He brushed it off instead. Cruz raised a brow and asked "I thought?.. The last time I saw you?..Well.. Was vegas really. And.. You and Sally were?.." Lightning nodded and replied "Yeah um.. Sally and I divorced. Little over a year ago actually. Um.. I don't.. We?" Cruz's eyes widened a little.
"So you come back to race?" Lightning asked before it got weird between them. Cruz nodded and smiled a little answering "Yes. Definitely. I can say formula one was quite the experience. But this is where I wanna be. Getting my tires dirty." Now she showed passion and it was beautiful. Lightning snickered with a smile. "You should go on in and enjoy yourself." Cruz glanced at the entrance and asked "What about you? It's your party." Lightning stared at her a moment and shrugged replying "I think I'm gonna just stand here a little bit. But please, go ahead." Cruz smiled adding "We should grab some drinks and catch up sometime. I got a meeting with Cal tomorrow and a few personal things to take care of, but after that I'm free."
Lightning raised a brow asking "Wait, Cal? Are you thinking of racing for dinico again?" Cruz nodded. Lightning didn't like the idea. Cruz racing for Cal and Tex again. "Why not race for me? Work here?" Cruz was a little shocked asking "Really? I mean after Vegas I just"-"I don't have a racer. Could help the academy out." Cruz smiled replying "I'll think about it." then went on inside. Lightning's smile faded. Maybe he shouldn't have offered that. He just didn't want Cal to take her and use her against him. Because right now, Lightning and Cal weren't in the best of places...
Lightning returned inside to his party. The band was playing at the moment. Sally was talking to a few friends along with Francesco. He sighed. Lightning wanted her. Part of him wondered why now? Why was it when he was finally more open about himself to her, she had found Francesco again..Why did he have to come back. He didn't know how to win Sally back when she was with someone as good and better than him. For now, Lightning just wanted to have her for even a few more seconds.
Francesco and Sally were enjoying themselves when Lightning walked up. Francesco smiled greeting "Awe McQueen. Again congrats. This is the kind of place you should be." Lightning nodded and definitely gave Sally an up down gaze. Sally noticed and just sipped her drink. "Mind if I borrow her a minute?" Lightning asked Francesco. Francesco glanced to Sally for an answer. Sally stared unsure why? Lightning held out his hand asking "Just one dance." Sally stared at his hand. She did want to and part of her knew better not to. Francesco sighed saying "Go. It is alright." Sally nodded and handed her fiance her drink. She knew though, Francesco was only okay with it because it could butter Lightning up for the news ahead.
Sally lay her hand in Lightning's and they walked away to the showroom floor. Lightning and Sally slowly danced gracefully together. Catching the eyes of press and other onlookers. They looked beautiful together.
"Lightning." Sally muttered, dancing and staring into his blue eyes. "I had to. I couldn't let you leave without a dance?" He said charmingly. Sally snickered and sighed but smiled a little. "This is too much." she added. Lightning nodded and asked "Do you really love him?" Sally raised a brow and cocked her head to the side. So Lightning repeated "Do you love him. I just wanna be sure that you are happy. That this is what you want." Sally swallowed hard and looked down.
She knew there were eyes on them so quietly answered scolding "Stop. I know you. I know what you want." Lightning was a little confused and asked "What do you mean?" As they danced. Sally leaned her head on his shoulder continuing softly, "I've been down this road with you many times.. You want me now. You say you love me then you have me back in your arms.. You get bored.. I am not enough for you.. You want me for now.. But it never last Light.." Lightning sighed. It hurt hearing that. And he had no idea how to convince her otherwise. Sally seemed to really move on.
They danced quietly a few more minutes. But Lightning wondered. What if she was right. That this was a pattern.. He wanted Sally, he'd get her back and once he was use to it.. They'd fight, he'd leave and find... Cruz. He sighed again as the dance slowed to a stop. Everyone clapped for them. She looked beautiful. And she smiled warmly "I'm sorry Lightning.. I can't take anymore chances with you..And our kids deserve a real role model.. Excuse me.." And her hand slowly slipped from his. He watched her go back to Francesco. Like she was hurting herself even saying that. It stung horribly and part of him wanted to snap. He never stopped loving her. Never would. But if he was going to have Sally back.. Francesco had to go...
Francesco shut opened his passenger door for Sally then shut it and got in himself. It wasn't long on their drive up to Sally's home that he asked "Why you no wear the ring? Are you ashamed or do you not want to marry Francesco?" Sally's eyes widened explaining "No? What!? I love you. Ofcorse I want to be with you Francesco. It's not the ring or anything that's the problem, I just haven't told Lightning and I don't want it to seem like I was hiding it from him.." "But you are?" Francesco reminded, correcting. Sally sighed replying "I know.. I just.. Please be patient with me Fran.. Please?" she asked and gently placed her hand over his. Francesco smiled warmly and nodded.
"Ofcorse Miss Sally.. All the time you need." He glanced at her and seemed to smile. But looking back at the road his smile faded. She said she wanted to be with him. Nothing about wanting to marry him and that kind of hurt. Francesco knew now.. If he were to have all of Sally, Lightning would have to actually move on first...
The door opened and Minty smiled greeting her son, "Monty! How was the party for you?" She hugged her son. Lightning stepped in answering "Uh.. It went well. Thanks for letting the kids spend the night. How were they anyway?" Minty smiled "They were darlings. I just am afraid they are getting a bit of a handful for me to handlealone. Colton has got quite a temper on him." Lightning sighed and agreed. "Well, where are the little trouble makers?" "Well Landon is napping. I didn't know when you'd come by to get them with Cleo on you like a bee to honey." Lightning glared and admitted "Actually Cleo and I are over. This time for good." Minty snickered but was satisfied hearing that. "Good. She was only the rebound anyway." Lightning rolled his eyes snapping "I don't do re bounds mom. She was a girl that I was seeing and it was getting... Serious.." Minty raised a brow asking "So did you tell her you loved her?"
Lightning stared a moment before mumbling "Well.. No.." "She was the rebound sweetie. Besides, I know what you really want. Or should I say who." Minty snickered with a smile. Lightning sighed. Sally. "I think it's too late.. I hate saying it. But..." He muttered trailing off. Minty crossed her arms asking "What did you expect to happen? You two got a divorce." "I don't know.. I was hoping after a break that things would... Work themselves out." he admitted. Minty felt bad for her son but gave advice of her own replying "I think. You have got an amazing thing goin here with the academy. You should stop thinking you need to be with someone, and focus on yourself and what you're good at." she smiled proudly.
Lightning smiled at his mom. "You're right. I got to get a few students put in the system and I still need a few more." Minty nodded "Well, I'll go grab the two kids that aren't nappin and be right back." She began to step away but Lightning added "Cruz is back." Minty stopped and sighed snapping "God dammit Monty!" Lightning's eyes widened a little confused. "You better leave that young woman alone. Poor thing is horribly hooked on you and you like to use that." "What? No"-"I raised you. Don't forget that. I know you. Not anything against it.. Just.. Cruz is persuadable.. Easily.. And it's not right that you use that of Cruz. She is a sweet woman but.. Not for you." Lightning snickered back "Mom, I wasn't going to go after her. Just.. I was going to hire her." "No." Minty quickly snarled.
"No. You do that and you will just screw up your chances of getting back with your wife. If you don't want to. Than go ahead. Do what you want." She seemed mad. Lightning sighed and thought about that. He truly had no interest in pursuing Cruz Ramirez again. Everythingthat happened before was such a mess. Minty returned with Ece and Colton who ran up to their father happily and shouting "Daddy!" Lightning couldn't help but smile. His children definitely brought him so much joy. Minty went back and returned again with Landon who was still sleepy. She handed him off to Lightning and kissed Landon's forehead. "Bye babies. You call me if you need me Monty." Minty added before Lightning thanked her again and headed out...
Sally
Hey Light, do you think you would like to have a sort of family lunch tomorrow with the kids? We can have it here. Francesco is busy with looking into work. So he won't be here. Just the family.
Lightning was very surprised to get that text from Sally. He thought though maybe... Maybe she did want him?
Sorry about another short chapter. As i said in my other story I got into a sad slump and been having to push myself. Anyways! hope you guys enjoy the chap and ofcorse the story!