~ Outside The Speedway ~ (Lightning McQueen x OC)

Chapter 29

"Fuck. Fuck!"

I kept swearing as I stopped the treadmill from running. I almost fell off, but that was a small price to pay for forgetting one of the most important events of the year.

As I ran towards the door, I tripped at the tip of the mat, suddenly remembering how it wasn't leveled with the floor. Lightning caught me by the stomach, his amazing reflexes coming in very handy now. I held onto his forearm before righting myself again.

"What's wrong?" He asked, holding me tighter in panic. I wiggled out of his grasp and kept walking.

I didn't say anything before running up the stairs, almost tripping once again in my rush. I have no doubt I'd end up with bruises tomorrow.

Once I got up the stairs, half out of breath, I rushed to the kitchen and checked the small calendar on the wall, next to the thermostat.

Today was Wednesday, July 20th. And sure enough, exactly one week and one day from today, on Thursday, July 28th, it was Sally's birthday.

"Ugh!" I yelled.

I didn't have anything set. No gift, not one idea of a gift, no reservation for a dinner out in Phoenix. Nothing!

I completely spaced from focusing on the race too much. And on focusing on Lightning.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is why I can never have a love life. I lose focus on other important things and tend to forget things I knew I needed to remember.

Maybe I should just try and quit this whole crush on Lightning. Sally liked him already, she was my own sister. And, all these little heated moments were probably a distraction.

But yesterday...

That didn't seem like a distraction at all. It didn't feel like he was trying to get me to forget anything. He enjoyed it as much as I did.

My face burned as I remembered the way he pushed me against the wall, picking me up and holding my thighs. The way his mouth worked against my neck in light kisses. His voice in my ear.

I placed my head against the calendar in defeat. I was so stupid sometimes.

I walked upstairs. Going into my room, I sat at my desk, opened my laptop, and started searching for gift ideas for Sally.

She'd adore new clothes, definitely, or any new stationery. But it was too late to order anything online. I could go somewhere and buy a few things in Phoenix on the morning of the reunion.

Hm... Sally was turning twenty-three tomorrow. I knew she liked wine, so I'd definitely get some from her favorite winery, Desert Rock Winery. I've never been, for obvious reasons, but she gushed about it every time she went.

Something I knew she's wanted for the past few months had been 'surrounded by idiots', a book about human communication, so I would definitely get her that. I'd get a card, throw in some extra money and that should be enough.

As it turned out, Sally was leaving the day after her birthday for her law classes at a law university in Phoenix. She only stayed three days. Two for her lectures, and one for grocery shopping.

If everything turned out the way I wanted it to, she would have an awesome birthday, and no one would ever tell I forgot about it!

"Are you okay?"

I jumped from my seat and backed up against my desk, which resulted in me just sitting on top of it because it wasn't very high. Lightning stood in front of me with his hands crossed. His hand wraps were dusty, and his body was glistening with sweat.