~ Outside The Speedway ~ (Lightning McQueen x OC)

Chapter 34

I pulled over in shock, not wanting to crash into anyone - or rather anything; there were a ton of cacti around.

I stayed silent and looked over at Lightning. He was staring at the screen, his brows furrowed, his eyes searching for an explanation.

I thought...I thought we were safe. My uncle shouldn't be up right now. No one in Radiator Springs should be up right now. If he's awake, there's a chance so is Sally. That Zayden's awake too. That they saw us leave.

"Lightning, pick your jaw off the floor. And Olivia stop overthinking, the only person awake is me." My uncle said suddenly.

Lightning and I jumped back in surprise at my uncle's statement (how did he know...)

"Now," he started again, "explain what the hell you two were doin' back at Olivia's house."

We didn't speak. Maybe we were subconsciously putting together yet another plan. Maybe we were trying to find a reasonable explanation without telling the truth.

"And it better be a damn good explanation."

I opened my mouth to speak before I was interrupted by the idiot.

"Sir, as much as I, respectively, dislike you, I'd like to apologize."

I turned to him with wide eyes and a face full of shock. Lightning McQueen? Apologizing? To my uncle? The fuck? Is this a dream?

He kept going, choosing his words very carefully. "I promise we didn't do anything...bad...your niece is alright. We lied for, what we consider, a serious and rational reason, but I can't really tell you what it is right now. I hope you'll accept that and wait until I'm comfortable with it. Olivia was just being a really good..." He paused. "...friend and let me stay in her house."

Friend. Ouch.

The three of us sat in silence for a long time. My hands started to shake because of the fear of what my uncle might say. Would he be mad? Disappointed? Annoyed? Maybe he'll be reasonable and let us get on with our trip?

Lightning grabbed my hand in his and pulled it to his lips, kissing my knuckles. I shot him a soft smile.

He knew just what to do to calm me down.

I loved hi- it. I loved it. I loved his actions. The way he looks at me, the way he smiles. Everything.

I took a deep breath in and out.

There was a sigh that came from the other side of the screen. "Olivia...he didn't do anything to you, did he?"

"Nope. Nothing I didn't like anyway." I mumbled the last part. Lightning looked over at me with a suggestive smile.

"And you're okay? No injuries?"

"I'm perfectly fine, thanks."

"And why can't I know really what's going on?"

Lightning responded this time, dropping my hand. "It's hard to talk about." He leaned his elbow against the window and scratched the back of his neck.

Another sigh from Uncle Hudson. "Fine, fine. Lightning, I half-accept the apology. Olivia, I'm glad you're safe. But I'm speakin' to you both as soon as you get back. Understood?"

"Yes." We both said.

"Have a good time in Phoenix." I heard the smallest hint of a tired smile from my Uncle's voice.

"Thanks, we will," I answered. We said our goodbyes and ended the call.

"Damn. That was scary. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight." Lightning exhaled with a laugh, pressing a hand to his forehead. I laughed with him, being relieved of the anxiety that had suddenly overcome me.