As I wrote this chap, the song better man kept playing in my head by little big town. It's a beautiful song and just thought I'd share
Lightning stomped into his academy, followed by Cruz, Jethro, and Celia. "That was a huge mistake!" He yelled angry. Cruz frowned and reassured "No.. It wasn't. You had to get attention." "And you did. Would be more of you hadn't of showed Cal mercy.."Celia added. Lightning turned to Cruz and her and snapped "It's not about mercy! It was suppose to be a clean race to grab attention! I set Cal up to fail!" Celia replied explaining "You had to win. If you lost than you'd only lose followers. You had to build up your image" Lightning growled snapping "By destroying his!? And the only people following me are you guys!" Jethro rolled his eyes. Lightning was acting childish.
"Look, you raced him on dirt. You had the upper hand but he still had a chance." Cruz assured. Lightning shook his head. He regretted this thing between him and Cal. He wished he never touched Megan. Never drank and even went there. Celia sighed adding "Well regardless, people use to remember you as the video that leaked of you and Cruz. Now you'll at least have videos of this race." Lightning was disappointed and mad at himself. "Just go on home. I'm tired and going home myself. I need a drink and bed. That's it." Lightning left them there. Cruz sighed. She knew the Lightning McQueen who loved racing.He regretted this one. It may have technically been a fair race. But at the same time it wasn't a fair race at all and that's what pissed Lightning off the most...
Lightning was home. Alone. He drank a little, showered, drank a bit more before going on his phone and looking at his posts and things the students posted and the videos. Cruz and Celia were right about one thing.. When you searched for Lightning McQueen... The leaked video of him and Cruz was the top viewed and that was a painful memory. Lightning sighed. Sitting in the living room alone. Trying not to become depressed over the past mistakes he made. Truly. Truly he missed Sally and everything they were. His stupid crash and stupid revenge with Cruz. He should have forgave Sally truly and moved on with her, not without her.
The door bell rang. Lightning sat there a moment. Was that his imagination? He sat there a few seconds before it rang again. Nope. Not his imagination. Lightning walked over, opened the door and was surprised to find Sally. "Hey.." He mumbled. Sally smiled warmly greeting "Hey." They both stood there a moment. Sally looked him up and down, seeing he was in pajamas asked "Did I wake you?" Lightning shook his head asking "You wanna come in?" Sally shrugged and walked in anyway. Lightning closed the door and began asking "Where uh.. Who's watching the kids?" Sally sighed "Fr"-"Nevermind." Lightning rudely interrupted. He glared a little and shook his head. Sally stared at his lightly bruised face exclaiming "Wow.. Cal got you pretty good there..' Lightning shrugged replying "It's not that bad, what's up?" he asked.
Sally handed him an envelope. Lightning raised a brow asking "What's this?" Sally frowned a little answering "The wedding invitation." Lightning's expression changed to only what you could describe as heartbreak as he stared at her. "You don't have to come. But.. I wanted to invite you so you wouldn't feel left out or anything." Lightning stared at the envelope in his hands. It was the most painful thing he had ever held next to the divorce papers. "Do?.. Do you?.." Lightning tried asking. He had to pause and swallow painfully before he could get his question out. "D-do you want me? To come?" Sally sighed with a shrug.
"Okay... Um.. If.. If you want me to.. I.. I will." Lightning exclaimed. Sally kind of smiled at that. "Thanks. Yeah.. I'd... I'd like to see you there. It would be good for the kids too." Sally replied softly. Lightning stared at the envelope. It hurt. Sally was actually marrying this Italian beef cake. He sighed and asked "Have you told the kids?" Sally frowned and shook her head explaining "I thought it would be best if you and I and Francesco told them all together. That way if they had any questions. But I think Colton is the only one who would ask anything.." Lightning just kept staring at the invite.
"Lightning." Sally grabbed his attention. He looked back at her again and she continued "I'm sorry. That I gave up.. But.. This is where we are now. Okay?" Lightning just nodded silently. He had no words to describe the pain he was feeling. "Um.." Sally continued and asked "Are you? Gonna be okay?" Lightning swallowed hard and painful. The answer was no. The minute she left he was going to break! But he nodded and murmured a soft voice cracking "Yeah.. Ofcorse..I'm..Happy for you.." He swallowed that down like glass. "Um. yeah I'll just.. Come by sometime tomorrow after work and.. we can tell them." Sally nodded.
"Thank you." She replied. Lightning let out a shaky deep breath. The kind that you are about to cry! Barely able to breath. Don't go. Please Stay. I want you. I love you. I need you. Don't do this because I want to be the one to take your hand and I want to do everyhting in my power to make you happy! Please! That's what he wanted to say.. This moment was when he felt true heart break. If asked to describe his pain, Lightning would say something along the lines of.. Feeling faint. Like your vision is fading and your lungs are gasping for air. You are drowning in an ocean, but can never die. You are forever in this state of burning pain inside.
You feel like you are falling backwards into a black hole. Blind. You can see nothing. It takes forever before you hit the ground with the reality of what lies before you. You fall down this hole that makes you feel dizzy and disoriented only to fall into the ocean. Deep, deep into the ocean and begin swimming up for air but you can't reach the surface. You are drowning again..But never feeling the sweet relief of death. This is repeated.. It never ends.
"Well I'll.. See you uh.. Tomorrow." Sally snapped him back. Lightning blinked a few times. Staring at her. His breathing was labored. "Are you gonna be okay?" Sally asked concerned. Lightning took one deep breath before answering "Yeah... um.." He swallowed. "Yeah.. I'll see you tomorrow and.. in a few days again when.. I get the.. The kids and.. Yeah." Sally stared concerned. But.. Lightning was an adult. She nodded and smiled. Kissed his cheek and gave him one last smile before leaving. Lightning watched her go from the porch. She did turn and add "Oh and Light.. It was really good seeing you race like yourself again. I kinda missed that version of you." Lightning smiled a little but within a matter of minutes, she was gone...
It was early morning. Francesco was over Sally, the woman he loved with passion. He thrusted in and out of her with such a rythm. Sally moaned of pleasure "Oh yes!.. yes.. I'm gonna cum, I'm so close baby!" And she really was. Francesco's fingers played with her area as he thrusted in and out to a beat that must of been in his head. "Oh gosh!.. yes.." Sally coaxed. He was close too. Francesco moaned softly thrusting deeper as Sally cried softly in pleasure "Oh yes.. Yes.. Oh Lightning.." She immediately turned red as Francesco slowed to a stop. They stared at each other in the eyes of each other. "I.. Um.." Sally stumbled.
Francesco looked a bit mortified. "You.. Don't have to keep going.." Sally whispered with such embarrassment. Francesco sighed and swallowed loudly replying "No I.. I can finish.." He lay his head low over her shoulder and began thrusting again. But now it was quiet and rather awkward sex. Sally couldn't believe she said Lightning's name! Oh god this was bad! Francesco thrusted a few more times before pushing his pelvis deep into her making Sally gaspe as he came. She let out a soft moan feeling him finish but pull out immediately and he lay down beside her.
Both silent for a few minutes. Sally frowned and looked over at him admitting "I... I didn't.. Mean to say his name. I meant.." Francesco motioned for her to stop and replied with a firm "Okay." Sally felt absolutely horrible and continued "It just happened... I was thinking about Lightning and I guess it just came out.." Francesco glanced at her and asked "You were thinking of someone else while we made love?" Sally's eyed widened correcting "No! No.. I meant before we.. I'm.. making this worse..Aren't I?.." she asked. Francesco sighed and began to get dressed replying "I need to go anyway. It's fine. We do not need to talk about it. Not for now. I have work to find and.. You have work.. I will see you later today.. Just call or text.. Text.." Sally stared and watched Francesco get dressed and leave kinda in a hurry. He wanted out of there.
She didn't blame him. She said someone else's name!? Sally smacked her forehead and flopped back down onto her bed. Feeling horribly stupid!...
Lightning woke up to the very annoying ringing of his phone. He groaned a little. He had spent his night alone drinking. He had too much. He patted the bed around for his phone. When he felt it, he pressed the green button and then speaker phone answering muffled "Hello?.." It was Cruz.
Hey, where are you?
Lightning sighed. "I'm.. Taking a sick day.."
What? You're sick? Wait? Is this about the race with Cal? Because I promise, we don't have to do anyanything like that again.
Lightning sighed again, annoyed. "No Cruz.. Look, I'm not coming in. I am hungover... and so I'm sleeping in."
You were drunk? Over yesterday? Really!? It was no where near that bad. Why don't you just come on in and I can make you coffee and can help you get over yourself and-"Goodbye Cruz.".
And he hung up. Groaning and burying his face into his pillow. Moping and hung over...
Sally was at work at her office. But her mind kept getting distracted. She stared over at her wedding dress and sighed. Why did she have to say Lightning's name! The fuck was wrong with her!? Sally dropped her head on her desk. Mad at herself. The fact that Francesco was so cool about it to? That scared her. He didn't yell or anything. He actually finished then left. What was wrong with her. Then a few knocks. Sally stared at the door answering "Uh, come in." She immediately regretted it. "Lightning... What are you doing here?" Lightning stepped in and walked up closer answering "I wanted to talk. Some about later with the kids.. Think we should be more prepared rather than just go in with mommy's marrying some guy.." He faked a smile.
Sally stared. She looked disgusted by his presence. "You shouldn't be here.." She said in a breathy way. Lightning sighed admitting "I can't help it. I can't help that.. The thought of you and Francesco just.." He paused a moment. But no. In this very second, Lightning knew he literally had nothing to lose! And decided to admit his feelings completely and quite possibly beg for her to give him one last chance because this would be the last chance he would ever need from her!
"Sally I love you." "Lightning..." She growled. But Lightning continued "I love you and no matter what you say, you can't change that. No matter what you do, I won't stop. I don't want to stop." "Lightning stop.." She growled again. But Lightning continued "I fucked up so badly and I am so sorry! I don't even care about anything that happened and I am so sorry that you do because it was and is the most regretful part of my life." Sally sighed and rubbed her head growling "I am asking you to stop Lightning. Please! Before you say too much!" she shouted. Lightning paused but again, felt like he had nothing to lose.
"Sally Carrera, I want you. Not just now, not for now. Forever. I wish you could see that!" Sally closed her eyes and lay her head in her desk. Lightning began pacing as he continued "I need you... And I know that this will partially mean absolutely nothing but part of it has got to mean something to you?... Sally I.." He stopped when he noticed the wedding dress. Sally glanced up and saw him staring at it. Silence. Such a stabbing silence. "Is this?.." He began asking but couldn't. Sally sighed and answered "Yes. That's my wedding dress..." Lightning turned toward Sally stating "You?.. You must really love him.." Sally didn't smile just.. Stared at Lightning. "Wow I.. Sound like an idiot and a jerk.." he added. Sally frowned and stood up replying "Lightning.. I am... Grateful.. And.. Flattered that you still have.. Some feelings... But.." Lightning glanced at the dress once more.
It was all getting to real for him. Sally was marrying Francesco Bernoulli. She was going to be a Bernoulli. Sally Bernoulli. That didn't even sound right! "I am.. So.. Sorry." Lightning apologized. The ex couple stared at each other so painfully. "Congratulations..." Lightning muttered unhappily. But he actually meant it. Sally took a deep breath and remembered her event with Francesco in bed this morning so suggested to Lightning "How about we hold off today. On telling the kids? We should do it another day. Okay?" Lightning just silently nodded. Sally smiled "Great.. Thank you." They both stared at each other. Unsure what to say or what to do. So, Lightning said goodbye and left.
...You don't know heart break until you are standing in front of the one you love.. Knowing... it's time to say goodbye...
Thank you to all those who read my story and especially to those who review. ! You guys are great and without u guys, i am nothing as a writer.
Lightning walked into his academy. Numb. That was the only feeling he felt. Cruz was there along with Luige and Guido. At first they smiled unexpected to see Lightning. "Hey! You decided to show up." She smiled. But Lightning didn't speak a word. He walked by as if they weren't there. Cruz's smile faded to a frown. Something was wrong. Seriously wrong. Lightning walked up to one of his old race cars. Brushing his hand across it. "Um.. Lightning?.." Cruz softly muttered. Lightning took a deep breath and stared at his friends with just.. This sad look.
He sighed once more, more of another deep breath then spoke firmly and seriously "I need to show the racing world I'm alive. So, let's show them. Every stunt I've ever done, every challenge created.. No matter how hard. Bring it on.." Cruz was surprised by the sudden snap or switch flipped in Lightning. But it was needed. And she nodded once...
So, along with Cruz, and the help of Jethro and Celia and even Luige and Guido. Sometimes Ramone too. Lightning worked on re creating his old stunts. "First we start with an easy video lesson for everyone." Cruz stated. They all stood on the track of Willy's butte. Lightning in his car. "Turn right to go left. The sinplest thing for you." Cruz added. Jethro set up his camera off of turn 3. Giving Cruz the thumbs up. Celia grabbed out her phone and began recording. "Go!" And with that Lightning sped off and took the full lap! As he made his turn right to go left, Jethro snapped an awesome photo of the Bolt turned side ways and the dirt coming toward the camera! With a swoosh! Jethro was covered his dust. "Great!" Cruz complimented...
"A new day, a new stunt!" Celia said with a smile. Jethro nodded and pulled up a video of one of Lightning's most famous stunts. Jumping off another car on track. Lightning sighed. Wasn't sure if he could do that again. Celia played on her phone explaining "You have only gained a few followers last couple days. This one is a bit more wild. Should give you a few hundred more." Lightning nodded. The team got some old wreck cars from none other than Mater's scrap yard. Piled up on the drag strip out front the academy.
Mater ofcorse had to come. Lightning started further front and revved the car. Jethro gave Celia the thumbs up and "Go!" She yelled! Lightning gunned it! Straight toward the wrecked cars! 128mph! And Lightning hit the bottom of the little make shift ramp of cars and flew up into the air! Jethro recorded from the side! They did have a wooden ramp for Lightning to land on and.. SLAM! The bolt landed hard and rolled down the ramp to a hard and screaming stop! Mater cheered loudly "Wait a go buddy!" Celia posted the video with "Hashtag... Big air."...
Cal walked into his class greeting "Hey guys.I thought about it. And why don't today we all take an easy day to visit the Doc Hudson museum down town? hmm?" No one answered. He noticed everyone on their phones. "What?.." He grabbed out his phone and looked at his kids profiles.. Lightning McQueen.. Flying through the air.. Cal growled furiously and slammed his phone on the table...
"For this next thing, we wanna show you driving a full on race course backwards." Jethro explained. Lightning raised a brow asking "Where are we going to find a race course?" Cruz smiled widely and snickered with excitement "Already done. Got the dirtiest part of the desert and created you one. You are going to do the entire course backwards and.. We adjusted the bolt for this already." Celia nodded adding "You just drive as FAST as that car can go, can you drift backwards?" She asked. Lightning smiled nervously answering "Uhh... Never done it?" He admitted. Celia and Jethro stared at Cruz who shrugged saying "First time for everything."
Lightning swiveled between barrels like a prized show horse, only backwards in a race car going 140 mph. "Turn in right now! Good now the small ramp.. then try drifting!" Cruz said into the radio. Lightning sighed but the bolt turned fast, backwards he hit the small ramp. Jumping into the air and hitting down with a thud and bit of a bounce, then turning sharp, he began attempting to drift backwards...
Cal's students snickered and kind of laughed amd were talking over with their phones. Cal glared and asked "What now?" Rip answered with a smile "It's Mr McQueen. He pulled off a reverse entry in a drift. On dirt!" Cal sighed and muttered "Let me see that.." Rip gladly showed the video. "He's driving backwards.. That's not racing?" Cal griped. One the other students replied "It's not racing, it's awesome! Wish I could do that." Cal shook his head. Annoyed. One other student looked at Cal and asked "Hey Mr Weathers? Can you do that? The reverse entry to a drift?" Cal stared. No.. Lightning was getting to him all too much...
The racing weekend came. Instead of pulling stunts, Lightning went with Cruz to the race. Which meant not taking the kids on his weekend and leaving them with Sally and Francesco. Over a race. But Lightning didn't seem to have a problem with it. And that bothered Sally. She looked at his profile. Filled with weekend pictures of him and Cruz and the small team he had with them for her. Lightning was getting back into racing and becoming his old self again. Not the bad and jerk him.The passionate and attractive Lightning that had a racing heart...
Cruz and Lightning walked back to the trailer. Cruz won the race. She was so happy and excited for that! "Wooh! That was incredible Lightning!" She shouted as she began loosening her suit's velcro straps. Lightning chuckled replying "You did amazing Cruz. I never doubted you for a second." Cruz rolled her eyes and asked "How many followers do you have now?" Lightning shrugged. So Cruz grabbed her phone and glanced as her eyes widened. "Oh my gosh! over a hundred thousand! It's actually working!? Not.. That I had any doubts Ofcourse.." She muttered. Lightning snickered and sat down with a sigh. Things were getting better. Cruz sat next to him. A bit tired from the long race she had just won. "Awe... well.. I don't know about you? But I am still running on adrenaline. Hey.. we are next to.. An old place we had been to before?" She smiled suspiciously. Lightning raised a brow."Where?' he asked.
Cruz bit her lips before answering with hard to contain excitement "Thunder hallow." Lightning's eyes widened as he asked "You want to go back there?" Cruz shrugged "It'll be fun and like old times." Placing her hand a little above his knee. Lightning stared at her hand a moment. Old times.. Right.. He looked back into her stare. Her very excited stare. "Come on. Nothing makes you feel alive than when the school bus of death is after you? Plus it will be a great pop in for your image Chester." She explained flirtatiously. Lightning smiled replying with a question "Are you flirting with me?" Cruz shrugged answering "Only if it's teasing you by intimidating you." Lightning stared. It was, but at the same time it wasn't.
Lightning sighed and exclaimed "Thunder hallow it is." Cruz let out an excited "Yes!" Which was cute and all. But Lightning.. wanted.. Sally.. No.. No he had to let Sally move on. Let her be happy and get married to.. Francesco.. Ugh..