Tex called for a meeting with his employees. Meaning Strip, Chick, Cruz and Jackson. He had something important to go over with them regarding the final two races of this season.
Tex cleared hia throat loudy grabbing everyone's attention then spoke up "Now, firstly I wanna thank you Chick on being here and taking Cal's place this last weekend. Truly helpful. Keep up the good work." Chick smiled proudly and nodded once. "Strip is gonna continue to run the school for now while you Chick coach the next and final two races. I'm sure that's fine with you?" Tex asked. Chick nodded answering "Oh yes sir. a Cruz was easy to coach too." "Good. But you won't be coaching Cruz in the final two races." Chick and Jackson looked at each other a bit confused but Jackson smiled. Finally! Everything Cleo promised him was coming into place!
Cruz stepped forward and explained "I have family things to take care of. I won't make the mistake of choosing racing over my family again. So I can't race this weekends race. And just in case Tex is preparing next weeks, the cup too." Jackson was containing his excitement. But Cruz being gone meant the race was his to win! It meant Tex would race him! Just as Cleo promised! "I'll make Dinico proud." Jackson spoke up. Tex's eyes widened. "I'm sure you would." He replied. "But I'm not racing you as Dinico. You keep racing for your main sponsor." Jackson was completely lost. Chick stepped up asking "Wait than?.. Who am I coaching in the race this weekend?"
Tex sighed then answered "I plan on asking Lightnin." "WHAT?!" Jackson snapped! "You can't race him!? He's retired! He's old! He's"-"Its my choice. You'll still be racing Jackson." Jackson couldn't believe it! If Lightning raced in Cruz's car!?.. Oh Fuck no!...
Jackson bursted into Cleo's office! Full of pure anger and rage! Cleo stared at the young man and sighed asking "What now Jackson?" Jackson stomped over and sat down in the chair before going off! "Tex wants to hire Lightning! To race for Dinico instead of me!" Cleo cocked her head a bit confused. "What?" she asked. "Exactly! What the hell!? You promised me that if Cruz was taken out than I'd be put in her place! The cup was going to be mine!" Jackson yelled. Cleo rolled her eyes and asked "Okay now.. Hold on.. I don't know exactly why Tex would hire Lightning sense he's retired but relax.. Lightning doesn't have a license so he can't race. At all. So take this down a notch Jackson, calm down and just wait."
Jackson shook his head and opened his mouth to snarl something else but Cleo continued "No. Shoosh Jackson. Wait it out. Once Tex realizes Lightning can't race legally he will turn to you. So take a fucking chill pill! You'll get what I promised you!" Cleo hit her desk! Jackson stared, no glared at the mayor. He was beginning to doubt her power and Cleo knew it. She was gonna have to be sure to keep her place...
Lightning and Dan pulled up to the academy and ofcorse. Cleo's car was there. Lightning sighed. Great.. She was waiting but why? Dan raised a brow and asked "Whose car i that?" Lightning frowned a bit answering "Some.. Person.. You best go on to your motel.." Dan watched Lightning go on inside before he did go on and leave.
Lightning sighed as he walked in to see Bobby and Heather keeping Cleo occupied in conversation. Cleo turned to Lightning with a smile. "Oh hey! I have been waiting." Lightning nodded and asked "What are you doing here Cleo?" The woman shrugged answering with a smile "I wanted to invite you to dinner in person. Just me and you." Lightning raised a brow and suspiciously asked "Why?..." Cleo walked up to Lightning and circled him one time around. Bobby and Heather watched unsure what she was doing.
She stopped in front of him and straightened Lightning's shirt up. "I believe we have some ground to level between us.. Think we need to talk." Lightning glanced at Bobby for a second but maybe talking over dinner with Cleo could be a good thing. Maybe they could finally get along. "Okay. Sure." Lightning replied. Cleo smiled saying "Good. I'll send a limo for you. You know, sense you can't drive." Lightning glared at her but nodded and watched Cleo leave. "See you tomorrow for dinner Lightning.." The door shut and Bobby immediately asked "Is that a good idea? Having dinner with the enemy?" Lightning shrugged answering "Couldn't hurt. Maybe it'll give me one up on her." Bobby nodded.
Lightning was unsure what Cleo wanted to actually talk about over dinner. But he was intrigued. Maybe this could be good. Maybe he could get closer to Cleo and find a way to get her out of office without causing any damage to anyone else. Which meant Sally could come home now instead of waiting. BBBZZZZZ Lightning glanced at his phone. Tex. He sighed and ignored that for now. He couldn't handle anymore Cal or Tex drama...
Lightning shut the door of the limo behind him. He sat down next to Cleo. She looked nice all dressed up in this tight black off the shoulder top and long loose brown pants with a high waist. Lightning was in a button up and dress slacks. Cleo smiled and complimented "You look quite well." Lightning nodded and returned the comment saying "You look good. So where are we going for dinner?" he asked. Cleo smiled and poured wine into a glass answering "Right here in this limo." she handed Lightning the drink and added "Thought this conversation would be best kept private." Lightning nodded in agreement there.
"So why invite me to dinner? What do we have to talk about?" Lightning asked. Cleo sighed answering Cleo sipped her drink and asked "First.. How about some food." Cleo opened some tray domes up all filled with fancy fixings. "I'd rather skip the small talk Cleo.." Lightning griped. Cleo sighed replying "Well.. Alright... So.. Last week you pretty much accepted role of the bad guy. Well I'm the villian." Lightning snickered, almost chuckled "Okay? What's that mean?" He asked. Cleo leaned forward and answered "It means I'm smarter than you. It means unlike you, I have people. People I'm willing to throw under the buss, to knock down and take the fall. So while you're off and thinking you're one step ahead of me? That you're about to knock me off my feet? I'm a few steps ahead of you and someone else winds up taking that fall for me." Lightning just stared at this woman.
"Who do you have to take the fall? Bobby maybe?.. Heather?.. Ofcorse not Sally. Maybe Cal?.. Megan?" Lightning frowned as he realized how Cleo had thought ahead way more than he had. Cleo laughed "Oh poor Megan.. Poor, poor Megan.. You still think that was an accident huh?" She asked. Lightning's brows lowered and he stared. "What do you mean an accident?" Lightning asked. "You pissed me off over that stupid ex wife.. Remember? Cal got... Held up that night you, him, and Megan were meeting for drinks.." Lightning thought back to that night. Which was a little difficult. And listened as Cleo continued.
"Then you went to the bathroom. Megan got a free drink while you were gone..." Lightning raised a brow and snarled asking "You drugged her?" Cleo sipped her drink and shrugged "And made sure you drank more than you should have. I mean, you were the one who took advantage of a drugged woman all on your own." Lightning was just.. Shocked! "Wanna know how I knew you'd do that? How I knew you get a little out of control when you had one too many?" Cleo asked. Lightning didn't answer and it didn't matter cause Cleo was going to tell him anyway. "Sally. She confided in Francesco a lot.." Lightning sighed. Maybe there was no winning against Cleo. "Who do you think called the cab to take you two back to your house?" Cleo said with a laugh.
"But I didn't make you two mess around. That was you two all on your own." She added. Lightning was speachless. Cleo snickered and added "You can't beat me Lightning.. You can't beat me and it's sad that you think you can." Lightning was lost. What was he suppose to do now? "So?..." Lightning replied. "With that I should just give up and give you what you want. Well... What do you want Cleo?" he asked. Cleo smiled proudly and sipped her drink before answering "Glad you asked.. See.. I promise the people I have things in return for the things they give me that I need." Cleo began cutting into a steak pretty aggressively as she continued "I needed money and Chick had a substantial amount... In exchange he wanted to run a racing school.." Lightning thought about that.. Cal's school...
"Francesco wanted Sally in exhange he gave me a bunch of valuable information. Now that one.. Between you and me? I think Francesco messed that one up on his own completely." She laughed. Lightning was confused. Why was she telling him all this and was she trying to mutilate that steak? "And I'm afriad that's all I can tell you about my plans for now." Lightning just was taking all that in. "What does this have to do with me? And.. Why are you telling me all this?.." Lightning asked softly. Cleo smiled answering "Someone broke into my office over the weekend.." Lightning turned away. Crap.. How did she know.
"Now... I could press charges on the poor idiot who broke into my office or.. He could surrender." "What do you mean by surrender?" Lightning asked. Cleo sighed and explained "Tex is going to make you an offer. Refuse it, decline it, say no." Lightning raised a brow asking "What's the offer?" Cleo shook her head and softly ordered "Just.. Say.. No."...
Lightning plopped down into his comfortable chair in his living room right in front of the tv. He sighed and drank his beer. He glanced at his phone. He needed to call Sally but after that stressful talk with Cleo and then this mysterious offer Tex was going to give him. And why Cleo was on it so quick? He was so tired and stressed.. He'd just call Sally in the morning...
Lightning woke up to the sound of his phone going off. Lightning blinked a few times and grabbed his phone answering "Hello?.."
Lightnin! It's Tex! Hope you slept well. Cause I gotta Texas size offer for you!
Lightning rubbed his eyes and sat up from hia chair that now didn't feel as comfortable. "Tex.. What's um.. What's the offer?.."
How would you like the chance to race again?
Lightning could almost feel his heart stop.
"What?"
You heard me. How would you like to race for Dinico these last two races for me, for the school?
"I'm.. Retired. What happened to Cruz?"
She has some family things to attend. I want you Light. You'd be driving her car.
"Wow.. Believe me.. I would.. Absolutely love to but.. I don't even have a license..."
Well I'll fix that. I'll get you behind the wheel of a race car again and on the track. Just say the word.
Lightning was shocked. This... THIS was his offer!?
Well? What do ya say?