Real
1164 Words
LEXIE
The afternoon sun was warm on my back as I walked back from the drug store. My shift had ended early, and I decided to take the long way to the bar. The town felt peaceful today, kids playing in a front yard, an old dog sleeping in the shade, the smell of fresh bread coming from the small bakery on the corner.
I turned onto a quiet side street and slowed my steps. A blue car was pulled over with its hood up. An older woman with short white hair stood beside it, looking worried and frustrated. She was trying to wave down a passing car, but no one stopped.
Then I saw Chaos. He had pulled his truck over and was already out, walking toward the woman with calm, steady steps. His broad shoulders were relaxed, but there was purpose in the way he moved.
He wasn’t in his club cut today, just a simple dark t-shirt and jeans, but he still looked like someone you wouldn’t want to mess with.
I stopped behind a tree, half-hidden, and watched. “Car trouble, Mrs. Bennett?” Chaos asked, his voice low and respectful.
The older woman turned, relief clear on her face. “Oh, Cade. Thank goodness. It just died on me. I don’t know what’s wrong with the old thing.”
Chaos nodded and rolled up his sleeves, revealing the dark tattoos on his arms. “Let me take a look.”
He bent over the engine, checking things carefully. Mrs. Bennett stood beside him, talking softly. I couldn’t hear every word, but I caught pieces, something about her husband being out of town and not wanting to bother anyone.
Chaos listened without interrupting. He worked quietly for almost twenty minutes, hands moving with surprising gentleness as he tightened something under the hood. When he finally closed it, he wiped his hands on a rag from his truck.
“It should be good now,” he said. “Just needed a few adjustments. But bring it by the shop tomorrow and I’ll make sure everything’s solid.”
Mrs. Bennett reached for her purse. “How much do I owe you, dear?”
Chaos shook his head. “Nothing, just drive safe.”
“But...”
“No charge,” he said firmly but kindly. “Happy to help.”
The woman looked like she might cry. She patted his arm gently. “You’re a good boy, Cade. Your mother would be proud.”
Chaos gave her a small, soft smile, the kind I rarely saw. “Thank you, ma’am.”
He waited until she drove off safely before climbing back into his truck. I stayed hidden, heart beating a little faster.
That wasn’t the man I expected, the ruthless president. He had just helped an old woman for no reason, no payment, and no one was watching except me.
It shook something deep inside me. I waited a few minutes before walking the rest of the way to the bar, my mind spinning.
Later that night, the bar was busy again. I helped Mia clean up after closing. We wiped tables and swept the floor while the last customers finished their drinks. Chaos was across the room talking to Brick near the pool table.
Everything was calm until a loud customer at the bar suddenly raised his voice. He slammed his glass down hard on the counter. “I said another one!” he shouted, words slurred.
The loud bang echoed through the room and I froze.
My chest tightened instantly. My breathing sped up and for a second I was back in that apartment, Drake throwing things, his voice getting louder, his hand coming toward me.
My hands started shaking. I gripped the edge of the table I was cleaning, trying to stay calm. I didn’t want anyone to notice.
Across the room, Chaos turned his head immediately, his storm-gray eyes narrowed with quiet concern, but he didn’t rush over.
Instead, he walked calmly toward the loud customer. His steps were slow and controlled, shoulders relaxed but powerful.
“Time to go home, friend,” Chaos said in a low, steady voice. He didn’t touch the man. He just stood there, tall and commanding. “You’ve had enough tonight.”
The drunk guy looked up at him, saw the President patch, and swallowed hard. “Yeah… yeah, okay.”
Chaos nodded once. Brick appeared beside him and quietly walked the man to the door.
Mia touched my arm gently. “You okay?”
I forced a small smile. “Yeah, just loud noises. I’m fine.”
She didn’t look convinced, but she let it go.
A few minutes later, after the last customer left, Chaos found me near the back hallway. He stopped a respectful distance away, leaning one shoulder against the wall. “You alright?” he asked quietly.
I nodded, crossing my arms over my chest. “Yeah. Thanks for handling that. You didn’t have to.”
“I did,” he said simply. His big body was relaxed, but his eyes were still watching me carefully. “You looked like you were somewhere else for a minute.”
I let out a shaky laugh. “I was. Bad memories have a way of showing up at the worst times.”
Chaos stayed quiet for a moment, giving me space. “You want to talk about it?”
I shook my head. “Not tonight. Maybe someday. Right now I just… I just want to feel normal for a little while longer.”
He nodded slowly. “Fair enough.”
We stood there in the quiet hallway. The bar lights were dim, the only sound was the distant hum of the fridge behind the counter.
“You know,” I said, trying to lighten the mood, “for a big scary biker president, you’re surprisingly good at calming drunk idiots without throwing punches. It’s almost disappointing. I was expecting more drama.”
Chaos’s lips curved into a small smirk. “Drama is overrated. I prefer quiet solutions.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Quiet solutions from a man called Chaos? That’s almost funny.”
He shrugged, his shoulders moving easily. “Names don’t always fit.”
We talked for a while longer. He asked how my day at the drug store went. I teased him about looking too serious all the time.
“You’re starting to like it here,” he said after a moment. It wasn’t a question.
I looked down at my hands. “Maybe, a little. That’s dangerous, isn’t it?”
Chaos stayed quiet. His big body was still relaxed against the wall, but his eyes were gentle. “Only if you let it be.”
I gave him a tired but real smile. “I’m trying not to let it be. But it’s getting harder every day.”
He nodded once, understanding. “Take it one day at a time, Sara. No pressure.”
- Writer
