Lightning got up really early. As early as he could actually wake up enough for the long drive home. He needed to leave before Annie for multiple reasons. One, he didn't want to leave around the same time or shortly after, because he was going home the same place. And two, he as Lightning had to bring the kids to Sally this evening as usual. He couldn't let her find out that he was actually Chester. To be safe, Lightning continued his disguise as Chester as he packed up and dressed, and headed to the lobby to check out. Once that was done, Chester walked outside to the car and opened the trunk to throw his backpack in. He grabbed his phone and checked it real quick before placing it into his pocket. Nothing. Just Mack asking how well the disguise was working.
Lightning
Working great! No racer here. But something amusing happened. Tell you about it when I swing by in a few hours.
Lightning shut the trunk of the car with a loud slam then made eye contact with Annie who was standing on the side walk bear the hood of the car. Shit. He didn't want this to happen! And after last night to..
"Hey, glad I caught you." Annie exclaimed. Chester rubbed the back of his neck and nodded and greeted. "Good morning." Annie walked up and quickly made her point "Good morning. I'm sorry about last night. I think maybe I did drink way more than I usually do and I didn't mean to do that.." She blushed. She looked embarrassed and flustered. Kind of cute. Chester snickered with a smile assuring her it was fine. "Well.. I wanted to thank you and apologize. So... Thanks.. Again." Annie mumbled softly. Chester, being the charming man he was joked and messed with her, "Oh what we did last night was thanks enough! You were wild up until you left to your room." Annie's eyed widened and her face turned pale. "We did nothing!" Annie snapped! Chester chuckled a bit. "How is that funny!?" Annie shouted. Chester shrugged answering "Relax Sally. Just a joke." "What did you call me?" Annie asked. Chester fucked up and he stared as he nervously lied "Uh what? Silly?.. I called you silly. Relax silly.." He smiled awkwardly. Annie stared a moment but brushed it off. This once. She really was hearing things she thought. And maybe her lie of who she was, was getting to her.
"Right.. Ofcourse you did." Annie muttered. "Well.. Have you had breakfast?" she asked. Chester stared curious and shook his head. "Let me buy you breakfast. To thank you.. And apologize. Please." Chester smiled slightly and stated "You're askin me on a date." almost proudly. Annie blushed "No. I just.. I'm being friendly." she corrected. Chester chuckled and joked "Is that they call it now?" Annie glared and asked "You want breakfast or not?" Oh he loved messing with her. Lightning was having almost too much fun pushing every buttom he could as Chester. "Well.. Seeing how it is the most important meal of the day.. Plus I don't know what man would pass up breakfast with such a beauty like yourself. Sure, I'd love to." "No more jokes." Annie orded. Chester shrugged but agreed...
"Again, I am sorry about that.. Last night.." Annie repeated. Chester nodded and drank his coffee. "But can I ask you something?" she asked and had his attention. "Was it that bad?.. Or am I? Not as attractive really? I mean the way you pulled away so fast and so... I don't know.." Chester sighed and thought a moment before answering "It definitely wasn't you. I'm sure you kiss amazingly well. Just... After my wife, The next woman I'm with needs... I want her to be my last. I don't want to have to search for someone. I want to find someone to spend whatevers left of my life with." Annie kind of smiled hearing that and it was a bit impressive because thats what she wanted to. Someone who didn't want to just have woman after woman. One woman and that was it. But then again, men lie. "So do you work out?" Annie asked. "I just.. Uh.. Noticed.." she added awkwardly. Chester smiled and nodded. The two continued eating their breakfast in the cafe. After a fee bites Chester let Annie know that "You can ask me whatever you want Annie. I don't bite." he joked. Annie stared a moment.
Probably coming up with a question. "Okay." she replied. "What's a guilty pleasure of yours?" Chester thought a moment. He couldn't answer this as Lightning truly. She would catch on. But then again he didn't want to just lie to Sally. It was tough to figure out so he just skipped it answering "Oh too many to choose from. Ask me something else." he said. Annie didn't mind so asked "What's your favorite kind of music?" "Just... rock maybe? I don't know. I rarely actually just sit or even work out while listening to any music. I'm busy a lot. Too busy most times really.." he frowned. "I get that.." Annie mumbled ubder her breath. Annie and Chester continued to eat for a moment. "Did you go to college?" Annie asked. Chester nodded and asked "Did you?" Annie nodded and sipped her coffee. "Here's a more personal question." Annie warned ans Chester didn't seem to mind at first.
"Have you been dating? Sense your divorce?" Chester nodded answering "A few times." "How did that go?" she asked. Chester paused all movement as he stared at Annie before answering "I'm here with you." Annie sighed then asked "Did you ever try dating apps? You know? Like on your phone?" Chester shook his head. He never really thought about doing that before. "I have.." Annie admitted. Chester's eyed widened as he found that surprising. "Really? You?" he asked. Annie smiled, blushed and nodded.
"You are way to pretty to put yourself up on those kind of sites." Chester scolded. Annie giggled quietly "I'll just take that as a compliment." Chester snickered continuing "I'm serious. Stop that. Take it all down. You can't be putting yourself up for sale for men to browse and compare you to other women there? It's stupid, a line up. Take yourself off those sites, and that's an order." Annie stared asking ",An order huh?" Chester stared back wondering if she were already catching on too much. Shit. He needed to turn the tables, "Do you cook?" he asked. Annie nodded explaining "Not as much as I'd like to. I use to alot. But... Work and kids make it difficult." Chester nodded and actually that gave him an idea!
Actually this gave him a bunch of ideas! If he could, could he use Chester to get into what Sally wanted and become that for her? Maybe.. If she would open up to Chester more that is. "What's the most rebellious thing? or... Daring thing you've ever done?" Chester asked, it was a test. See if Sally would open up or if Annie would tell a story. Annie smiled a little answering "Well.. I did get a tattoo." Chester smiled warmly. Sally was coming out. Which meant she was being open to this Chester. Wait? Did she take a liking to him? Chester chuckled thinking that a moment. Annie wasn't sure why he did. "What do you like to watch on tv now days? or.. Anyway.. I mean." Chester thrn asked. Annie hummed thinking a moment before giving her answer "As old and out dated as the show is, I still love watching the wheel of fortune sometimes." Chester chuckled. He missed that with her. "That's adorable." he replied. Annie rolles her eyes. Looking around the cafe. Hearing the spunds of people, guest chatting and glass clinking as waitresses and waiters did their jobs of gathering dishes. Utensils hitting plates and people eating. The smell of grease, bacon, syrup, cakes and eggs filling the room with such a delightful aroma.
Chester then asked as he and Annie finished eating "Anything to lool forward to next weekend?" Annie shrugged. "Come on, what's it like being in the life of Annie?" he asked. Annie smiled "Nothing. Just.. Let the ex take the kids and then I go home and sot alone in the dark, in quiet, alone." Chester nodded "You coming to the races next week again? You know? To stalk your ex husband?" he joked or rather reminded. Annie made a face like she was gonna laugh but didn't. "Maybe. If I did, it wouldn't be for that though.." She hinted. Chester couldn't believe the spark growing. Why did it take this lie just to get them both to get aling. This was stupid and somwhat painful. Part of hum wanted to stand up and reveal himself rught here right now! Yeah.. That wouod go well.. NOT!
"In proper clothing. I presume." he joked again. Annie glared but playfully with a smile. Chester sipped what was left of his coffee and waved a waitress, motioning for a refill then turned back to Annie asking "Gotta say, I wouldn't mind seeing you again Annie." Annie nodded. Then the waitress refilled their coffees. "You got a bucket list Chester?" Annie asked. Chester shrugged. "I guess? Just things I wanna do or get done I guess." "Like what? What's at the top of your list?" she asked. Chester sighed and leaned back in his chair as he gazed at Annie. Sally. He knew exactly what was at the top of his list. "To marry the woman I love again.." he answered. Annie nodded and sighed "What happened to her? To you two exactly?" She asked boldly. Chester hesitated. She was right in front of him. What happened?, she ask. Know what, it didn't matter. Not anymore.
"Well...Maybe I'll tell you if and when I see you next time." he said. Annie snickered. He was cute and was trying all too much. It was cute but reminded her of how much Lightning would try after he messed up. So she thought, maybe it was just men. Maybe men just act this way after they fucked up. Which made her think Chester fucked up some way with his ex very badly possibly. Chester sipped his extremely warm coffee and asked "How are the kids?" Annie smiled warmly answering "They are great." "Well go on. Tell me about them. The way a woman loves her children says a lot about her." he replied. Annie turned a little red. Adorbale. And happily began telling Chester about her three kids, no names, just about how her oldest is justvlike his father. Loves playing with cars, he's active and full of energy and runs the show kinda kid. And how he is a little boss for sure! Then how her youngest son is a little follower. A thinker. Likes to think before jumping in but would follow his oldest brother off a cliff. Then about her daughter and how sweet and shy she is. But how she has began really building a bond between princesses and her father. "Think she thinks her father is a prince or knight or somethin in her eyes." Annie admitted. Chester smiled and chuckled complimenting "That's sweet. I'm.. I'm sure he's honored to be her knight. You have wonderful children Annie." Annie agreed saying "Yeah. I am blessed."
Annie and Chester drank their coffees. Oh the smell of coffee. So good! "Do you really think we should do this again?" Annie askes curiously. Chester smiled, he couldn't help how much he was smiling right now. "Yeah, why not? Then we can redo that kiss from earlier too." Annie smiled, shook her head and joked "Now you really do sound like my ex." Chester's eyes widened as he felt stupid. He didn't want ti give himself away just yet. Annie noticed his face and assured "Relax. It's okay. Sometimes I loved with crude and blunt humor." Chester snickered and sighed. They sat there a moment, quietly just together. It was so nice. "Well.. Could... This sounds so silly. But could I get your number than?" Annie asked. Chester stared and oh fuck. No, because that was Lightning's number! He quickly lied saying "I would.. But.. I don't have a phone." "Oh." Annie said surprised a little sense most people had phones. "Just not great signal where.. Where I live anyway.. So yeah.." he added to the lie. Stupid! Stupid! he thought!
Then the worst thing happened! His dam phone beeped! Annie glares and snarls "I thought you didn't have a phone..." Oh she was hurt a little and pissed! Chester turned red and felt awful and embarrassed. "It's.. a friends phone that.. I'm borrowing?..." He tried lying but it didn't look like Annie was buying this lie. Chester glanced at it though and eyes widened!
Celia
Cruz is awake! She is asking for you too!
Fuck Chester mouthed quietly. He looked up at Annie who was still glaring. The same stupid look she gave him when they met and she asked if he wanted to stay in that cozy cone motel instead of the impound. "I am so.. sorry.." He muttered. Annie crossed her arms and snarled scolding "If you didn't want to actually see me or again or talk you could have just said so and not rudely lied." Chester frowned a little and couldn't think of what to say to fix this. Typical. Just as Lightning, Chester was fucking up with lies already. "I should.. Just..." "Go." Annie finished. Chester felt so bad. But anything he said now would make it worse. "I am so sorry.. Here, let me pay." He pulled out some cash from his wallet and placed it on the table. "I'll see you next weekend at the race maybe?" He tried smoothing over. But Annie's facial expression said he wouldn't. Chester sighed and bid goodbye then left.
He got to his car and felt so stupid. So horrible. Luckily Lightning wouldn't be affected by Chester's actions in there. Cruz was awake! He needed to get back to business!...
Lightning walked into Cruz's room without even knocking and immediately asked her "Hey, how are you?" Cruz smiled answering "Feel sick.. Confused." Mateo was on the other side of her. Lightning turned to Mateo and asked "Can I speak with her alone?" Mateo glanced at Cruz for an answer and she said "Yeah definitely. It's fine Mateo. You can go anyway. I know you're tired." Mateo frowned or maybe he was a little disappointed but kissed her hand and left. Lightning sat down in a chair next to Cruz and asked "What happened?" Cruz frowned a little answering "The last thing I remember was..." She stopped. Lightning grabbed her hand assuring "Francesco isn't here. Isn't even in town. He ran off after you were placed into the hospital." Cruz nodded then answered "I think.. I think he pushed me.. But I don't remember him touching me?.. I remeber he was mad. He didn't want me telling you or Sally about..No.. He was mad because I told you what he did to me and to Mateo and I." Lightning nodded.
"But that wasn't his only secret and he didn't want me telling you or Sally his plans. I think that's why he did.. Didn't stop me.. He didn't push me." "Cruz?.." Lightning muttered. Cruz continued "He didn't. I remember. I tripped because he threatened me and.. He didn't even try to save me from falling." "He wanted you dead. Didn't he?" Lightning asked sort of rudely. Not because he was mad at Cruz, he was furious with Francesco. Cruz shrugged. "He made me look like a bad parent.. Setting up race interviews and photo shoots.. I thought he was helping me and my career but.. He was just making me busy. I chose Mateo and racing over returning home so many times to my son that my parents took custody. It was his plan. He was trying to get me away from Mateo and it failed. So I lost my son.. Then he tried seducing me and.. He was pushy but I said NO! I promise! I never slept with Francesco! I never would after how he treated you.. He did forcibly kiss me.. And touch me.. But I made him stop and leave! I was going to tell Mateo but he threated my career! I already lost my son!?. You.." She said with a whimper. Lightning frowned a bit.
Holding her hand, his hand tightly. "I couldn't lose my career too. So I chose it over Mateo and came back here. Then Mateo and I talked and Mateo told me his plans with you. You and Sally." That made Lightning worry more as he had to know and asked "What was Francesco planning to do with Sally?" Cruz shrugged answering "Well he wanted to marry Sally. He did love her but Francesco is controlling. He's?.. Obsessive. He didn't want you around." Lightning began feeling uneasy. What could Francesco of wanted to do? "Francesco wanted your family for himself. He was going to take it. He wanted to marry Sally and claim your kids for his own." Lightning snickered saying "I'd have to be dead for that to happen." "Or lose custody? He was going to. I don't know how? But I bet you like he did with me. Get you so busy and overworked in that academy that Sally takes custody. She'd promise you you could come see them over the weekends still.. But Francesco, not having a job and being married to her, would keep them. He would do that. He is sneaky and a smooth talker Lightning. He is trouble! Him and his brother really.. Mateo isn't so different.." she frowned.
Lightning was furious. And if Francesco dare show his face, Lightning would make him wish he hadn't. "Did Mateo hurt you to?" he asked. Cruz shook her head explaining "He's just not the one for me.." Lightning sighed and pulled away and stood up assuring "He's gone now. Francesco isn't gonna come back. If he does I won't let him hurt you and he will not come near my family." Cruz nodded and smiled a little. "Lightning..." she muttered. Lightning turned and stared at her. "If.. We"-"No." he interrupted firmly. "There's no we. Just.. Friends. Okay? Please." Cruz nodded. Lightning then left the room and headed to Sally. He needed to tell her and make sure she knew what Francesco was really wanting all along.