Lightning pulled Cruz's chair out for her. She glared at him but sat down. At least he was being a gentleman at the moment. People stared at them. Lightning and Cruz both knew that would happen. There was no avoiding that. Lightning sat down across from her and let out a sigh. It was their first real date out in public. A big one.
Cruz glanced at all the eyes on them. She stared at Lightning and his suit. "You look nice I guess.." she complimented. Lightning smiled and thanked her. They stared at each other. It was actually kind of awkward. "This is.. Really.. Public huh.." Cruz said as she blushed a little. Lightning nodded replying "Sure is.." The waitress came over and asked for drinks. One whiskey and one margarita.
It was just quiet. No words were said. Not until they got their drinks which they just thanked the waitress. Cruz sipped her drink and finally broke the weird silence between them, "So.. If you're not gonna tell me who.. How about why?" Lightning sighed and shrugged answering "That's.. Difficult to answer.. It really just happened." Cruz shook her head. That answer really only pissed her off. She realized it seemed that Lightning always had an excuse. "Okay..." She replied "Was she good?" she asked in a snappy way. Lightning stared because that was a trap. He knew it. "I mean.. Could I be better?" she added. Lightning was a little surprised by her question.
"Cruz it's.. It's difficult.. I'm sorry okay?.. It.. It won't happen again." She only snickered at his answer. Lightning was acting like.. A teenager.. She actually felt bad. Cruz felt what.. Maybe Sally had felt some. Only that was worse. Sally wasn't betrayed at first date.. They had been married.. Together for years.. And she.. Cruz stepped on forbidden ground here with Lightning.
Cruz sighed and asked "Do you want an open relationship?.." She really meant it. Lightning shook his head answering easily "No. I do not want that." Cruz nodded. Okay, good. "Do you want a three some?" she asked. Lightning hesitated. That was not expected at all! "Uh... No? No, I don't." he answered. Cruz raised a brow pointing out "You hesitated." "No I didn't." he snapped. "Yes you did. Look, I don't care if you did!? I just wanna get to the bottom of things here." Cruz snapped. Lightning sighed and assured "No three some.. I'm sorry okay."
Cruz sipped her drink and stared. "Are you ashamed of me?" She asked. "Embarrassed still?.." she added. Lightning shook his head and defended "I took you out!? In public. I wouldn't do that if I was ashamed or embarrassed!?" Cruz couldn't really disagree with that. Lightning chugged down, finishing his drink quick then stood up and growled "I gotta piss.." He just left. He was mad and annoyed by her questions. Cruz sighed. Would she forgive him? Probably.. She was use to getting pushed around by men really. And she had a weak spot for Lightning McQueen.
Bbbzzzzzz She stared at his phone. The screen was down. Cruz alkost grabbed it but hesitated. She didn't want to be that girl. Going through her boyfriend's phone. But.. She looked around as if she felt guilty and thought someone might see her. Then she grabbed it reading the text on screen.
Sally
Where are you going that's out of state? Why?
Out of state? What was Sally talking about? So Cruz opened his messages to see whatever Lightning sent to her first.
Lightning
Hey, I have to travel out of state for a few days. I plan to be back before the weekend for the kids. But do you need anything? I wanna make sure you and the kids are good first.
Wtf. Where was he going? He hadn't even told her anything yet? Was he ever going to? Cruz set his phone back down. But between him cheating and now leaving without even telling her? Wtf.. Seriously.She felt her stomach turn. Lightning returned and sat down and immediately knew something was up just by the look on Cruz's face.
"What?.." he asked. Cruz cocked her head a bit as she asked "Were you going out of state?" Lightning wasn't sure how she knew that exactly but shrugged answering "Well.. Actually yeah." "Why?" "Work. I'm going to my old racing school in Texas. You know, to.. Try and recruit a racer for the academy." Cruz nodded. But she was mad.
"Were you even going to tell me?" She sounded mad. Lightning's eyes widened as he began answering quick "Yes! Of course. I just hadn't got to it yet. You can come along if you want. Celia would enjoy the female company along more anyway." Cruz blinked a few times as she caught that "Wait? You're taking Celia?" Lightning nodded. "Why?" Cruz snapped as she became suspicious. "Well," Lightning answered "She is so organized and helps out a lot. She is very useful and bringing her along lets me focus on actually picking a racer out while she handles all the details." Cruz glared and snapped asking "Oh is that all? Or is she the new toy!?" Lightning was so shocked by that one.
"What? No!? I don't look at Celia like that." he defended. Cruz shook her head. Did she really think he was sleeping with Celia now?
FLASH
Lightning and Cruz looked to the right of their table immediately. Some random douche bag taking a photo. It was like people stalked them.. Waiting for something to happen... Lightning glared at the man but let it be. It was just a photo. "You know... I really loved you..I looked up to you for so long.." Cruz muttered. Lightning stared at her and again said "You can come. There's no one stopping you." Cruz shook her head and frowned. "I can't believe I use to wanna be just like you.. Because now that I am?.. I'm not sure I like me.." She stood up to leave. Lightning grabbed her hand and stood up begging "Don't leave like that.. I'm sorry.. Okay?.. I am.. Please?.. Just.. Just stay for dinner. I invited you to dinner." Cruz stared at his hand on hers. She looked up into those blue eyes and shook her head. "I don't think this is gonna work.." Lightning stared at her brown eyes. She was actually hurt.
Cruz was actually and seriously hurt. He let go of her.. Letting her leave without a fuss. People stared. He noticed and sat back down. His ego hit by that a little. Cruz turning him down? She was the willing one.. The woman who would..Who he thought would do just about anything for him. He never really looked at her like he looked at Sally. He wasn't afraid to hurt Cruz and that was wrong of him. BBBZZZZ... Lightning glanced at his phone.
Celia
We have a situation at the academy. Better get down here...
Lightning, Bobby, Heather and Celia all stared at the front entrance door of the academy. "Well... They got the balls.." Bobby joked. Lightning glared and scolded his friend "Not funny." There in spray paint, painted on the door, outside, was a literal giant penis on the door sitting up right. Balls and all. "Look at that.. They even gave it little hairs.." Heather muttered as she cocked her head. Lightning snapped at them "Alright, alright enough!. Celia, did we get any footage of who the heck did this?" She nodded but explained "Wearing black everything and a hoodie or jacket and sun glasses and a skull mask. Can't identify them.." Lightning sighed and snickered rubbing his eyes and shaking his head.
Unbelievable.
"You want me to report it?" Celia asked. "Um.." Lightning had to think a moment. He actually was thinking Cleo might have had something to do with this.. In that case "No.." "No!?" Bobby snapped?! "So you want a giant dick on the door?! Literally the first thing people see!" Lightning glared and explained "No. But.. Somethin tells me that Cleo had something to do with this.. If that's the case, I'm not giving her any satisfaction in this.." "And if she didn't?" Heather asked.
Lightning shook his head and shrugged "Then what? You really think Officer Gage is gonna do anything about it? Just.. Ugh.. Paint over it. Pretend it never happened.." Heather, Bobby and Celia were all a bit surprised. "You sure you don't wanna report this?.." Celia asked. Lightning sighed. Of course he did! But if Cleo did this, it wouldn't matter. And if she didn't? She'd make sure Gage didn't actually do anything. Dating Cleo was obviously a mistake from the start. "Just paint over it.." he ordered. As if this night could get any worse. Bbbzzzzz.
"What now..." Lightning griped before taking out his phone.
New email from Sally Carrera...
Chester,
You really are a clueless man. My feelings for you get stronger and after we made love.. I broke. I know you think I'll hate the real you and... That maybe true. But I also just might love you like no other. I have to know the real you. I hate that you need two women to be happy. I think you need to decide who you want. Before we ever see each other again. I can promise you I am more open than you think.. But I won't be toyed with. You either are hers or mine. No other women.
I do not share. I will not be on the side. Stop playing the same game my husband played and pick who you want and who you love. I know that means taking risks.. Its big. And there's no guarantee which is so scary. I am so afraid... But I'm more afraid of not trying while I have the chance.. Do not reply. Unless you have made your choice please..
-Sally Carrera
Lightning sat on his bed. Staring at this email. Hmmm. She wanted Chester this badly? She really loved Chester. Lightning sighed and tossed his phone on the bed. Thinking. He really messed up. Sally was in love with him but.. It wasn't him. On top of that, Cruz was pissed off now and that was possibly over. Which.. Maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing. Then there was his Texas trip coming up and he had to find a racer for the academy. The academy that had now been broken into once, and now someone painted a dick on the entrance. There was that now.. And even more Cleo. He had to deal with Cleo still! That woman was crazy and a bitch. Not gonna sugar coat it. She was.
Lightning felt pretty hopless. Felt like everything was just going sour. And no matter what he did it seemed to make things worse. Everything worse. He glanced at phone. Oh how he yearned to hear Sally's voice. Her sweet voice and words of wisdom.. That would never happen though. She hated him. He grabbed his phone back and opened his text when he saw her text about his trip. He sighed. Least he could do is answer that.
Lightning
Headed to Texas. Back to Small town. Just gonna look for a racer at my old school.
Sally
Oh. That's pretty neat. Best of luck to you.
He was actually surprised she replied so quickly.
Lightning
Did I wake you? I'd think you'd be asleep by now.
Sally
I usually am.. Just can't sleep.
Lightning
I'm sorry. Did you try a bath?
Sally
Yes..
Lightning
Use that neck massager thing.
Sally glanced over at her nightstand. Yeah, maybe that could help. Shw opened rhe drawer and went to grab it but stopped. Next to it was Mr Magic. That actually was tempting. And the image of Lightning over taking her like he did as Chester was doing something. She shut thw drawer though and replied.
Sally
It's not gonna help... It's not at all like an actual neck massage.
Lightning
Well I'd give you one of I could.
Sally
You always were good with your hands.
The heck? Sally blushed after sending that! Not what she meant!!!!
Lightning
Well I'm not one to brag but they can work some magic
Sally
I didn't mean it like that. Why aren't you asleep? Late night with Cruz?
Lightning
No. Some idiots did some.. Graffiti on the academy
Sally
Oh wow really!?? Did you get footage?
Lightning
Yes and no.. Not anything that'll tell me who did it.
Sally
Sorry about that..
Lightning
Did you have a late night cup of coffee?
Sally
Maybe.
Lightning
That's why you can't sleep. You know that makes you restless.
Sally
Yeah.. I shouldn't have.
Lightning sighed. He wanted her so badly. But he also was so tired. He didn't want to stop texting her, talking to her.
Lightning
How are you and Chester?
Sally
He's an idiot. Like most men.
That hurt a little but she was right.
Sally
If I could go back in time, I would. I hope you do know that I do still love you Lightning.
Lightning
And I love you... Hey.. I got a crazy idea...
Sally
What is it this time?
Lightning
Why don't you and the kids come with me to Texas? I think Colton would especially enjoy it. Kind of like a short family vacation? Kids deserve that.
Sally was intrigued but also so.. Caught off guard. Go to Texas? With Lightning? As a family?!
Lightning
If the motel isn't too busy...
Sally
Actually it's shut down. But That's a story for another time..
Lightning didn't know the cone was shut down? He'd have to ask her about that one later again.
Sally
I'll sleep on it.. I should try to get some rest really.. Night.
Lightning
Night