Chapter Seven
"Mr. McQueen!" Cruz exclaimed as she entered town. "Where's the drip pan, old man?" She teased, a wide smile on her face as she rushed towards us.

"Right where it always is. Right up your a-"

"Lightning." Mom scolded, glaring at him. He laughed and rolled his blue eyes.

"I was just teasing, Sally," he replied. "It's so nice to see you again, Cruz. How ya been?" He smiled.

"Yeah, how's it going in the Fascia League?" I added. When Dad wasn't busy at one of my races, sometimes he'd drive to one of Cruz's and be her crew chief. Cruz is really close with our family now. She's basically like the older sister I never had.

"Super! In the next race, they're having all of the sponsors who need a racer come to decide who they want for their team! If I'm lucky, I'll finally get into the big leagues with you guys!" She cheered. Everyone congratulated her and wished her luck.

"Dad, can we go and watch? Please!" I immediately begged. Well, whether Dad liked it or not, I was going to go. I wasn't going to wait for his permission. I'm an adult after all.

"I don't know, Stel. I don't want too much publicity when we're in postseason." Dad replied.

"Come on! I'll stay in the background while you coach her." I offered.

"Yeah! I really want Stella to come. She's really good at keeping my motivation high." Cruz added, driving beside me. Together, we begged Dad with our big, sad eyes.

He let out a long sigh. Instantly, we knew we had him hooked. "Fine, but no answering any questions. No posing for the cameras-" Dad stated, rambling off my rules.

"Even if I win?!" Cruz exclaimed.

"Fine. One picture together if you win." Dad promised, a smile on his face.

Cruz leaned over to me. "I'm definitely winning now." She whispered.

"I heard that. Just because I'm old doesn't mean I have hearing loss." Dad chuckled, driving away. Cruz turned towards me, excitement present in her brown eyes.

"So, Stella. I need details! I've heard so many rumors about you and Nick!" She gushed.

"Wait. Rumors? Like what?" I asked, nervousness sinking in. What was the media saying about us? Were they tainting my family name?

"Oh, you know. They think you guys are dating," Cruz shrugged. "They gossip about if you were to get married what you would name your kids. Or what nicknames you've given each other. It's just playful rumors right now."

Oh, thank god. Cruz then paused and smirked at me. "Wait. What have you two been up to that you're so nervous?"

"It's nothing. I was just-"

"Oh, don't play dumb with me. Let's talk about this somewhere your dad can't hear." She giggled, driving us away from town.

Soon, we arrived just outside of town. We were parked where Sheriff usually watches at night. At the moment, he was in town, so we weren't worried about him eavesdropping on our girl talk. "Okay. Spill the oil, Stella!" Cruz grinned.

"Well, I'm not going to say that we're officially an item, but..." I trailed, a smile growing on my face.

"But..." Cruz continued, nearly jumping up and down.

"But we have both agreed that we really like each other and want a future together." I lightly squealed. Cruz has been the first car I can totally tell my feelings to. I would never tell my Mom because she gets too serious. Dad would rather listen Jackson talk about his many, many beauty products. And Ethan gets super butthurt at the mention of Nick.

"Oh, Stella! I'm so excited for you! Nick is a really good guy," she cooed, a smile wide on her face. "Plus, he's pretty hot."

"I know! I get lost his eyes nearly every time I talk to him!" I agreed.

"They are so blue! And I love his green paint," Cruz swooned. "You don't see cars in that color anymore!"

"It sounds like you're falling for my man." I teased, making her playfully pout and punch my side.

"I wouldn't dream of it," she replied, rolling her brown eyes. "Besides, I like someone else." She added as she faced away from me.

My jaw dropped as I studied her. I drove to face her, a smile wide on my face. "Oh, my god! Who is it?" I exclaimed.

"I'm not saying." Cruz refused, tightening her lips.

"Please! I confessed my feeling about Nick to you! Tell me your secret crush!" I begged. I had to know who she liked. Cruz has never, ever admitted to me that she's liked someone. This was a first!

"No! I'm not going to tell you anything until I finally know his feelings about me." She replied, shaking her head at me.

"Oh, you suck." I pouted, sticking my tongue out at her. She rolled her eyes, thoughts flashing across her face.

"Fine. All I'll tell you is that you know him really well." She answered.

"But that could be anyone!" I frowned.

"That's the point!" Cruz laughed.

xxx

"Good luck, Cruz! Don't pop a tire on the last lap like Dad!" I cheered as she headed to the race track.

"Hey!"

Cruz giggled through the headset. "Don't worry, I won't."

Dad looked back at me, his blue eyes studying me. "Go back into the pit. We don't want the paparazzi getting any shots of you now that they ship you and Nick." He declared, rolling his blue eyes at me.

I groaned, rolling my eyes back at him. "Dad, I'm fine. They're all focusing on Cruz."

"Yeah, yeah. That's what they should be doing. They're probably hiding behind the tires, waiting to hear you say something about Nick."

"Dad, they don't-"

"Shush," he interrupted. "The race is starting. We gotta get our heads in the race."

He stared ahead, getting lost in the moment. He gnawed on the inside of his cheek as he studied the track. Everyone leaned forward in their spots, waiting to see who would grab the lead. As soon as the green flag dropped, Cruz sped ahead of the pack.

Immediately, I could tell she looked tight. "Loosen up, Cruz. I know you're worried about impressing everyone today, but forget about them. Race for me and Stella." Dad instructed, his eyes narrowed as she zoomed past us on the track.

"But, I gotta win this race. If I don't then I might never make-"

"Don't focus on the negatives. You gotta push that outta your mind and think about something else. Think about racing me in Radiator Springs." He declared. This was a first for me. Usually, I'm the one being told what do. I never get to see Dad mentor.

"Okay, okay. Me and you in Radiator Springs." She calmly replied, almost instantly loosening up. It was like the real Cruz was back. Determination grew on her face as she rounded turn after turn.

"How did you know what to say?" I asked, driving beside him. He glanced at me, obviously annoyed that I wasn't listening to his advice. But, he let out a sigh.

"Well, I just have to know who I'm working with. I know Cruz's personality so I know what makes her tick," he explained then smirked. "Plus, I'm like an expert in racing so..." He trailed.

"Har har. You're funny." I replied, playfully rolling my eyes at him.

"Well, it's true! There's a reasoning I'm called The Great Lightning McQueen." He emphasized, a grin growing on his face.

"So what? Am I gonna be called The Stupendous Stella McQueen?" I teased. He shrugged his tire, looking back at the track.

"Eh, maybe. You haven't really done anything stupendous yet." He replied.

"Rude." I playfully pouted, watching the track. He let out a small chuckle, going back to coaching Cruz. Dad and I peacefully sat beside each other for the remainder of the race. He must have realized fighting me about leaving was pointless because he never mentioned again.

Thankfully, Cruz had easily won the race. Happily, she drive back to the pit, quickly shouting her excitement at Dad. "Mr. McQueen! I did it! I won!"

"I always knew you could." He laughed, watching her jump around with joy. She paused, then rushed towards me. She gave me a large hug as she laughed her head off.

"Ramirez! Ramirez!" Photographers shouted, trying to get her attention. "Pose with Stella!"

"Yeah! Get a shot with Miss McQueen!"

I plastered on a grin and leaned against Cruz, who couldn't stop smiling. When she felt they had enough, she rushed to Dad's side as he tried to sneak away. "Come on, Mr. McQueen!" She shouted. "Just one picture with my favorite crew chief!"

As the crowds rushed to get a picture of Dad and Cruz, a few reporters stayed behind, shoving their microphones into my face. "Stella, how do you feel about having Cruz win this race?" A woman asked.

I let out a soft chuckle. I glanced at Dad and Cruz, seeing them enjoying themselves. Dad said I wasn't supposed to answer questions, but this one wouldn't hurt, right? I looked back at the camera, trying to keep a natural smile. "I'm very happy for Cruz. She ran a great race today and I can't wait to see what's ahead for her."

"Do you ever feel as if your father favors Cruz over you?" A man shouted from the back. I stopped and furrowed my eyebrows. What kind of a question was that?

"Um, no. Cruz is a very close friend. There's no competition between us." I nervously chuckled. I suddenly felt crowded by them. I tried backing up to get some personal space, but it was impossible. They just came closer.

"McQueen, how do you feel about the current rumors between you and Nick?" Another car asked. Okay, it was time for me to go. I wasn't going to answer any questions involving Nick.

"No comment." I replied, now trying to make it out of the mob growing around me.

"Why not, Miss McQueen? What are you hiding?"

"Are these rumors true?"

"I'm not answering anymore questions at this time." I replied, trying to get through.

"What are you hiding, Stella?"

"Nothing. I just-please, let me through." I snapped back, shoving my way out of the crowd.

"Miss McQueen. Please, answer us and put the rumors to rest!"

"Go back and interview someone else, like Cruz. I'm finished here. No more comments." I mumbled as I was freed. I eventually reached Dad, who helped drag me away from the cameras trying to get shots of us.

"Hey, what happened back there?" He asked, sympathy present in his voice. "I thought I told you stay away from them tonight."

"I was trying. I was answering a few questions about Cruz and suddenly they wanted to know about-"

"Don't say it. They're still near us." He interrupted, his eyes darting from me to the crowd lurking behind us.

Cruz drove near us, her smile slightly fading. "Hey. Is something wrong?"

Dad turned toward her, his acting smile plastered on. "Nope. Perfect, Cruz. Say, why don't you come down to RS to celebrate your win?"

Cruz studied him, obviously knowing the smile was fake. She glanced around, noticing the crowds gradually closing around us. "I'd love to, Mr. McQueen. Unfortunately, I was invited to a celebration party with the other racers. Maybe sometime next week I'll come and visit."

Thank god. Now all of the paparazzi would follow Cruz where she went. I smiled at her and mouthed a thank you, which she returned with a nod. As the crowds began to follow Cruz to her trailer, Dad and I left for Radiator Springs.

When we returned, I dragged myself to my bedroom. I was exhausted from the long drive and the race. I didn't realize how anxious I was for Cruz until just now. I gently closed my eyes, the peace of sleep drifting into my mind.

~~~~~~~~~~