Chapter 4: Lightning on the warpath
The only thing heard was the loud braking from outside and several onlookers came out of their places of residence, among them was Cruz's guest.
Both occupants got out of the car and walked to the entrance of the Cozy Cone.
Lightning immediately went into the lobby, while Cruz stayed outside watching him out of the corner of his eye. She went with Tim Treadles, her track partner.
-Cruz, what happened? - Tim whispered a little confused, he was thinking about greeting McQueen and was excited about it, but the blond-haired man seemed upset and didn't look at anyone.
-He doesn't seem very happy. - The guy added.
-I don't know. - She spoke only to both of them, since there was a small group of reporters in the crowd, there were always those around and Cruz didn't want a distorted story to be created because of them. -I went to look for him and he was fine, but I mentioned Mr. Bernoulli and his mind left this universe completely. – She sighed with some relief. – Good thing he's a professional driver. Who knows what would have happened if he didn't brake at the precise moment he did. –
Meanwhile, inside, indeed, after the herd of fans had dissipated from the sides of the Italian man, his full figure could be seen. There, standing in front of the counter, with his left elbow resting on the wood of it, the back of his hand under his chin and the other arm with his right hand in the pocket of his light brown suit jacket, smiling flirtatiously at his hostess, Sally.
-So, are you going to take me to the room at the W.W. Motel yourself? It would be perfect, although I wouldn't have a problem if your assistant accompanied me. – Francesco spoke, moving his eyes between Sally and Flo who was with her again, without breaking his pose too much, he just crossed one leg in front of the other.
-No, no... Don't worry, I'll go with you myself, I'll check on Lance and we can go. Give me a second. – The main hostess responded.
-Lance? Oh, so he does exist, can I see him? – Asked the veteran ex-Italian racer, still smiling, this time he stood up.
-Sure, come. – Sally answered.
Francesco looked from side to side looking for where to go, before that part was not so closed, but since Lightning and Cruz's fame grew and Lance was born, they had remodeled the place a bit for security.
-You have to go around the counter, honey. – Flo told him, laughing when she saw that he was about to jump over the huge piece of furniture because he couldn't find a way in.
-Hehe, it's true, thanks. –
As he went behind the counter and approached the baby's crib, next to Lightning's wife, the Italian with curly and perfect black hair, looked at him carefully, without gesturing.
Sally looked at Francesco with some strangeness. He shook his head, it was as if he suddenly went blank, the man was completely silent.
-What's wrong? Aren't you good with children? I thought you wanted to meet him. - She commented.
-No, no... It's not that I don't like them... It's just... I remembered something about it. - When he heard Sally's voice, he came out of his trance, blinked a few times and then poked his own forehead with his index finger.
-What is it? Have you never seen a baby so close? – The woman laughed lightly.
-It's just that... – Francesco was going to tell a little story to Sally, something that happened to him a few years ago with another woman, but he was interrupted by someone else, suddenly that person cleared his throat.
So, everyone turned to look at the main door of the place. Lightning had been standing there for quite a while.
-Hi... Aren't you inviting me to the meeting? – The blond-haired man twisted his mouth, simulating a small smile. He had his right hand clenched near his mouth, then he lowered it, it wasn't that he wanted to hit "someone" but with it he had made the gesture of clearing his throat.
-Hi Stickers, sorry, you were so silent that we didn't notice. – Sally looked at him apologizing with words and with her eyes.
-Of course... - Lightning said so briefly to his wife.
-McQueen! – The Italian champion greeted enthusiastically. – I don't know if I should say it's a pleasure to see you, but I know that Francesco's presence improves the place a lot. – Then he looked back at the crib. – I'm getting to know your son, I must say that he turned out quite cute, not much more than if Francesco made one child, but, of course, this little one is more handsome than the father, hehe. –
-It's funny that you don't have children, when you are so... Let's say a more or less appropriate word... "taster"? "consumer"? – Lightning responded, approaching the counter.
Francesco raised his brown eyes to the blond man, still having a dignified and proud expression.
-That thing about children is not something that goes with Francesco's lifestyle. Can you imagine? I think I would go down the slow lane. – That was a direct hint to McQueen.
-You, a father? Haha, honey, I don't imagine you as such, you really aren't a man who can stand settling down, you would first have to get rid of quite a few vices to become like the average male species on the planet. - Flo commented and obviously she didn't speak in a low voice.
-Flo, nowadays the average male species on the planet is like him, they only use their brains selfishly to think about themselves and sex. - Sally approached her friend and whispered that phrase under her breath. -
-Oh... you're right, girl. - The older woman affirmed.
Meanwhile, Francesco walked out of the back of the inn to stand in front of McQueen. He skipped that last comment a bit.
-Well, I'm going to the W.W. Motel, I need a nap. – The Italian guy added and glanced over his shoulder. – Will you join me, Miss Sally? If that's not possible, I'll go alone, I'll ask at the reception, and my luggage should have already been put in the room. –
Hearing that, Lightning couldn't help but bite his tongue so as not to show his jealousy. He took a breath and before his wife could say anything, he spoke.
-I'll go with you, so you don't spread the word that we're bad hosts. – The blond man heavily loaded his right hand on Francesco's left shoulder, patting him a couple of times.
-Oh, no... Stickers. –Sally hurried to join them, almost knocking over everything in her path, going from one second to the next to talk to McQueen. - You stay with Lance, please, I'm in charge of things at the motel, I'll go with Francesco. –
Lightning rolled his eyes, pissed off and snorted like a bull in a strong exhale. He couldn't take it anymore, somehow, he had to show that he felt uncomfortable and upset, but in the end, as if putting his nerves in order, he answered in a good way.
-It's true, Sal. What were I thinking? That's your job. - The former American racer faked a friendly smile.
Francesco looked at them as they spoke to each other with some confusion, the tones between them were so cynical, obviously he wasn't going to debate that there, discussions between two didn't work for three.
Then the blond guy walked to the crib, the child was very calm, awake, but calm, and Flo was watching him too.
-I'll be back in a moment, thanks for taking care of the Cozy Cone. - Sally said.
-Sure honey, be careful. - Her friend wished.
Lightning didn't say anything. He waited until they finally left to complain loudly in Flo's presence.
-I can't believe Sally is acting like a fifteen-year-old who is crazy about a movie star. - McQueen ran a hand through his own hair, looked down at the crib, and gave Lance his index finger.
The baby boy took his father's finger with his small hands and brought it to his little mouth. He was very awake, it was amazing to see him, calm, enjoying minimal things, without worries or anything.
Lightning smiled sweetly at his son, but stopped when he heard Flo giggle, he turned to look at her strangely, he thought it was possible that she was making fun of him for what he said.
-You worry about nothing and your jealousy is noticeable from a distance... Sally hasn't seen Francesco for a long time, he was her idol since before she met you, it's normal for her to behave a certain way, but that doesn't mean she's going to do something to hurt you, if that's what you're thinking, although your attitude speaks for itself. - Flo speaks without taking her eyes off him.
-I know she's not capable, even so I can't help it. - He sighs, delicately removes his finger from Lance's mouth, then lifts him from the crib and rocks him a little in his arms. –Anyway, I'll try to be calmer about it. –
-That's fine, honey, better keep your mind focused on something else. – The owner of the V8 café recommends.
McQueen nodded, letting Flo know that he would take her words into account, but inside the fuse of his patience was starting to run short, one wrong move and he wouldn't hesitate to explode.
To be continued...
Disclaimer:
-Lance Carrera-McQueen is a character that originally belongs to me, as does this fic. (c) Shadoru.
-The other characters belong to Cars (c) Disney. PIXAR.
-Sorry my bad English.