Chapter 22: Lunch and Getting Ready for Races

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"So what did you think of the garage?" Dom asked July once they were speeding down the highway.

"It's a lot different from where I use to work," July said looking over at Dom. He had a pair of sunglasses on and his lips were curled into a small smile.

"Guess we are going to have to teach you a couple of things then," Dom said with a smirk, glancing over at her.

"Are you sure about tonight? I wouldn't want to be intruding," July questioned nibbling on her lip.

"No, don't worry about it. You're more than welcomed. Promise."

Dom then pulled up into the same little restaurant that him and Brian had gone to when they had first taken out the Supra. They went inside and got a side table looking over the beach. They ordered and their food was brought out to them. After a few minutes of eating in quiet, July looked up and found Dom watching her.

"What, do I got stuff on my face?"

"No. Can I ask you a question?" he asked solemnly.

"Shoot," July said taking another bite of her burger.

"What happened that made you leave Texas?" Dom saw July almost choke on the food in her mouth and regretted asking her the question, but he had to get her to tell him something. He got a gist of what probably happen by what Jesse had found but wanted to hear it from July's mouth. There was something there that was making her sad and he wanted to know what it was. Dom had always been the protector, so when this girl had came over, he had seen how lost she was. She put on a good front, but when Dom looked into her eyes, he could see something was making her sad.

"Dom…" July trailed off. She felt her good mood disappear and it was replaced by something sad and tired. She didn't know exactly what to tell him. How was she suppose to tell him what had happened? She slowly swallowed her bite of food and took a quick drink from her soda. July didn't want to tell him her story and then have him pity her; that was the last thing she wanted or needed. She looked up and saw him staring at her. He was expecting her to tell him something. "Dom, it's long and complicated," she finally replied with a sigh.

"You don't have to tell me everything, just something. I was just wondering why you were out here when you don't know anyone."

July looked away and looked out to the beach. People were out enjoying the nice day. Couples were walking down the beach and groups of friends were hanging out together. It all made July realize how true what Dom said was. She was all by herself in reality, save for Arnold and Charlotte; then again, they were nice and all but she really didn't know them.

"I found something big about me and my parents and I couldn't be around them anymore. It was all lies and crap, so I packed my stuff and left. End of story, sort of," July said running a fry through her ketchup. She looked up to see Dom nod his understanding and he continued to eat. July let out the breath she didn't even realize she had been holding and finished eating too.

"So how did you get the house then?" Dom asked puzzled.

July sighed deeply and then looked back at Dom. She realized he wasn't going to stop until he had his answers. She just couldn't take it anymore. July stood up, ran out of the restaurant, and headed out for the beach. Anywhere that was away from him.

Dom sat there shocked for about five seconds before he threw some money on the table and ran after July. He ran down the beach and found her perched on a large rock looking at the ocean. July heard Dom come closer and she sat there frozen. Neither said a word for a long time.

"I found out that I was adopted and had been lied to for the last ten years," July finally said in a raspy whisper and Dom had to step closer to hear her better. "Everything I knew was a lie. My real parents had died in an accident and they had left me everything, which includes the cars and the house.

"When I found out I was adopted, I left my adoptive parents, came to LA, found my parents' lawyer and got everything that was theirs. I would have left anyways, even if there wasn't anything for me out here. I couldn't live in a house that was all about lies and pretending. I trusted them completely and what did they do? They lied to me. Everything I thought was real was a lie." July finished with a silent, stray tear falling down her face. Speaking the words aloud to someone made the situation that much more real. Everything came crashing down on her at that moment and July felt herself break. It was as if she was glass and someone had taken a hammer to her and smashed her into a thousand pieces.

Dom felt his heart break as she started to cry. To find out everything you knew wasn't true had to be one of the hardest things. He knew losing one parent was bad, he couldn't imagine losing both and not knowing. He didn't know really what to do though. Mia was the only one he had ever had to comfort when she cried; Letty wouldn't allow him to comfort her when she was crying.

He carefully edged toward the rock and reached out his hand to rub circles on her back. Suddenly July launched herself into his arms and he quickly wrapped his arms around her. Sitting on the rock, he sat July in his lap and rocked her, murmuring what he hoped were words of comfort in her ear. He should feel weird comforting a stranger he only knew two days but he didn't. Somehow she felt right in his arms, like he was meant to protect her. July finally quieted down and only sniffled every now and then.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to pull this on you," July said quietly.

"It's okay." Dom smooth back her hair.

"Now you probably think I'm some chick that's too emotional and cries when something goes wrong."

"Yeah. I'm going to leave you the first chance I get."

July looked up at him and saw the teasing glint in his eye.

"Not funny. Big jerk," she mumbled.

"Excuse me, what did you call me?" Dom asked.

"Umm, nothing," July said trying not to laugh but it was hard when Dom had the most offended look on his face. Dom grinned at her and before July knew what was happening, he started to tickle her. She tried to hold it in but ended up in a fit of giggles. "Uncle, I give," she finally managed to breath out.

"That's what I thought," Dom said smiling. "Now come on, let's get out of here. Wait, can I ask you one more question before we leave?" He saw the panicked look on her face and was quick to assure her. "It's not about any of this."

"Okay then, but then I get to ask you something," July replied getting up off his lap.

"What were you and Letty talking about?" he asked.

"Oh, wouldn't you like to know," July said laughing.

"Yeah, that's why I'm asking."

July rolled her eyes at him and started to walk backup the beach. "Why do you want to know?" she asked.

"Just wondering," Dom said walking beside her.

"We just talked about races and girl stuff."

"Girl stuff? Letty talk about girl stuff?" Dom said with an astonished look on his face. "The racing part I can believe, but girl stuff?"

"Hey, what's wrong with that?"

"It's just not something that Letty would talk about, or at least the Letty I know."

"Well then maybe you really don't know her," July said feeling the need to stick up for Letty. She didn't know the girl that long but she felt a kinship towards the other female mechanic.

Dom didn't say anything back to her; he was too busy thinking about maybe what July had said was true. Did Dom ever really get to know Letty? Maybe that's why they didn't work out. Dom sighed and followed closer to July. They both reached the car and got in. Dom drove back to their houses and parked in his drive way.

"So you still up for tonight?" he asked as he shut off the car.

"Yup. Wouldn't miss it," July said getting out of the car. Checking her watch she saw it was around four. "I'm going to head home. Thanks for everything Dom."

"You're welcome," Dom said.

"I'll see you tonight," July said and headed into her house.

Once July was inside, she headed up to her room. She knew she probably looked a mess from crying and took a quick shower. Dressing in some shorts and a tank top she went downstairs and played some video games to occupy herself.

Around seven, July made herself dinner. Once she had finished, she grabbed her cell phone and went out onto the back porch. Sitting herself on one of the wicker chairs, she watched the sun being to set, streaking the sky with vibrant pinks, oranges, purples, and yellows. Finally she picked up her phone and called Mike. On the third ring he picked up.

"Sup?" he answered.

"Sup? It's that anyway to answer a call? What happen to hello?" she asked mockingly.

"It's my phone so I get to answer it anyway I want."

"Whatever."

"Oh, you did not just whatever me! Wait 'til I get there and then you are going to get it!" Mike said jokingly.

"Yeah right," July shot back sarcastically. "So, where are you now?"

"About half way there. I'm going to drive for a couple more hours and then find somewhere to sleep. I don't know how you did this all by yourself," he yawned.

"Let's just say anger fuels you," July offered with a sigh.

"So did you ever end up calling your parents?" Mike asked after a pause.

"Yeah, I talked to Mary. It wasn't the greatest."

"I bet it wasn't. Are you okay though?"

"Yeah, I cut her off before she really could say anything, not that she didn't try. But let's forget about that, I don't want to talk about it."

"So what are you doing tonight?" Mike asked changing the subject.

July smiled. Mike always knew when to drop something and when to let it go. It would be good to see him. "I'm going to a street race," she finally answered, trying to put as much excitement into her voice as possible.

"Really? That's awesome, and have I mentioned how much I hate you?" he rushed on, and July could only imagine the glare he probably had on his face.

"Aww, I love you too Mikey," July cooed into the phone.

"Yeah, just don't get into trouble and don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"Well I guess that doesn't leave much for me not to do," she giggled back.

"Hey!" Mike cried, offended and July just laughed back at him. "Fine, be that way. Just have some fun tonight, okay?"

"I'll try."

The two said their goodbyes and July was left in silence again. She sat on the porch for a few more minutes before she heard the sound of the doorbell ringing. Going back into the house, she opened the door and standing there was an eager Mia and bored looking Letty.

"Hey," July greeted them. "Come on in."

"Wow, this is nice," Mia commented looking around.

"Yeah, it's not too shabby," Letty said sarcastically and July stuck her tongue out at her.

"So…" July trailed off.

"Like I told you girl, Mia wanted come over to help you get ready since you've never been to a race before," Letty said with a shrug.

"Yeah, I didn't want you to be all nervous not knowing what to wear," Mia said eyeing her outfit, obvious disapproval showing.

"This isn't what I am going to wear. I hadn't even thought about that. I'm more nervous about actually going," July admitted playing with the hem of her top.

"It's just a race," Letty said although Mia's expression said otherwise.

"Yeah, but you two already know people, I don't know anyone except you guys."

"Well come on, let's go to your room," Mia suggested.

The three girls headed up to July's room and began to raid her closet.

"Oh, I like this," Letty said holding up a red leather skirt.

"So what should I wear?" July asked looking at what Letty and Mia were wearing to give her an idea. Mia was wearing a pair of snug jeans and a lace camisole top. Letty was wearing a black leather skirt and a white mesh top that showed her black bra though it. She was sure she could find something that balanced between the two.

An hour later, after a lot of talking and laughter, July decided on a pair of tight black jeans that swayed low on her hips and a shimmering silver top that crisscrossed in the back. It stopped a couple inches above her jeans and was v-cut in the front. Letty picked out a pair of combat boots that had an inch heel on them and tossed them to July, even as Mia protested.

"Mia," July began, zipping up one boot, "I'm with Letty. I don't do high heels."

"Amen!" Letty said, flopping down on the bed.

Once July was dressed, Mia led her to the bathroom and started to work on her hair. Letty decided she had done enough and went downstairs to play video games at July's suggestion.

"Mia, can I ask you a question?" July asked as Mia began messing with her hair, and plugging in a curling iron. She gave a nod of consent. "Does Vince ever apologize?" July inquired, remembering how long it took Vince to apologize to her yesterday.

Mia gave a snort of laughter. "No, normally he doesn't, not unless he really made an ass of himself and even then him apologizing is rare. Why?" she asked back with a raised eyebrow.

"If I tell you, promise not to get mad?"

"Sure," Mia reassured with a smile.

July told her about how Vince had came over and asked her if she was a cop and how he took her outside to apologize to her when she went over for the picnic. By the time July had finished telling her story, Mia was laughing so hard she almost had tears in her eyes.

"Oh my god, I so would have loved to see Vince stand there like a little boy and apologize to a girl! Okay, I've got to breathe," Mia said taking deep breathes, trying to calm down.

"So you're not mad?"

"No, not now anyways. He apologized for it and it takes a lot for Vince to admit he's wrong. So consider yourself lucky to get any apology at all," Mia said finishing up July's hair, never noticing the small smile that crept on July's face.

"Are you finished yet?" July whined.

"Almost. There, done," Mia replied curling the last strand of hair. She had curled July's hair into wild ringlets and had pinned half of her hair up, leaving a couple strand loose around her face.

"Looks great. Thanks Mia," July said starting to leave.

"What are you talking about? We're not done yet. Get back here, I still got to do your make up!"

With a sigh July dragged herself back into the bathroom, where Mia began to do her make up.

"So what time does races start?" July asked, trying to keep still so Mia didn't mess up.

"Whenever Dom shows up. There are a couple races, we come home, have a party till three or four and then everyone leaves." Mia did one last sweep of eye shadow and then pronounced her done.

"Finally!" July exclaimed running out of the bathroom. There was only so much she could take. Pausing in her room, she put on a black onyx necklace and stuck her wallet in her back pocket. Pulling on a couple of jelly bracelets, she followed Mia out her bedroom and downstairs to find Letty.

"Well damn, it's about time," Letty said as they entered the living room.

"Mia held me hostage," July replied, holding her hands up and Mia rolled her eyes at her.

"Let's go over to our house, you can hangout with everyone," Letty said shutting off the video game and TV.

July grabbed her keys and they all shuffled out the door. July locked the house and then they made their way over to the Toretto's house.

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tbc…