Ride Me Into Ruin: Iron Reapers MC

Closer

LEXIE

The days started blending together in a strange but steady rhythm. Mornings at the drug store, afternoons helping around the bar, evenings trying not to think too hard about how long I had been in Harlow already.

Mr. Harlan was slowly warming up to me. One afternoon I was restocking the allergy section when he came over with his usual grumpy face.

“You put the cough syrup on the wrong shelf again,” he grumbled.

I turned with a sweet smile. “Did I? Or are you just testing if I’m paying attention, boss?”

He grunted, but his eyes crinkled at the corners. “Smart mouth. You’re lucky I like smart mouths. Most girls your age just stare at their phones.”

“Phones are boring,” I said, placing another bottle neatly. “I prefer talking to people who actually answer back. Even if they grumble the whole time.”

Mr. Harlan shook his head, but I caught a real smile this time. “You’re trouble, Sara. But the good kind. Keep it up.”

I gave him a little salute. “Yes, sir. Trouble with excellent customer service, coming right up.”

The regulars were starting to feel familiar too. Mrs. Ellis came in every other day and always had something nice to say. A quiet older man named Tom bought the same pain cream every week and always thanked me politely. Small conversations but It made the days feel lighter.

In the evenings I helped Mia close the bar. Tonight was no different. We wiped down tables and stacked chairs while the last few customers finished their drinks.

“You’re getting good at this,” Mia said, tossing me a clean rag. “I might have to keep you forever.”

“Don’t tempt me,” I replied, wiping a sticky spot on the counter. “I’m starting to like the smell of beer and bad decisions.”

Mia laughed. “You fit right in.”

We were almost done when Chaos walked in from the back. He had been out most of the evening and looked tired but relaxed. He pulled up a stool at the end of the bar.

“Late night?” Mia asked him.

“Club stuff,” he answered simply. He glanced at me. “You two need help closing?”

“We’re good,” Mia said. “But you can stay for a drink if you want. Non-alcoholic for the boss, of course.”

Chaos nodded and sat down. Mia poured herself a small beer, slid a glass of water to Chaos, and handed me a soda.

The three of us ended up sitting together at the quiet bar. The lights were low, the music was turned off. It felt strangely peaceful.

“So,” Mia started, looking between us with a grin, “Sara here told Mr. Harlan he has the personality of expired cough syrup today. He actually laughed.”

I groaned. “I said it nicely! He was being extra grumpy about the new shipment. I told him the syrup was older than some of his customers and he should be nicer to it.”

Chaos’s lips curved into a rare smile. He leaned one elbow on the bar, his big body relaxed. “And he didn’t fire you?”

“Not yet,” I said proudly. “I think he secretly enjoys my charm. Or he’s just too tired to train someone new.”

Mia laughed. “You’ve got him wrapped around your finger already. That man hasn’t smiled in years.”

Chaos took a slow sip of water, his gray eyes watching me quietly. “You’re good with people,” he said. “Even when you’re giving them a hard time.”

I shrugged, tracing the rim of my glass with one finger. “It’s easier to joke than to be serious all the time. Serious gets heavy fast.”

Mia nodded. “Amen to that.”

We talked for a long time. Mia told funny stories about crazy customers at the bar. I added sarcastic comments that made both of them laugh.

Chaos listened more than he spoke, but when he did, his voice was low and calm. He asked me simple questions, what I thought about the town, if I liked working at the drug store, if the room was comfortable enough.

Every answer I gave was light, but honest. I felt myself relaxing around him, not completely open, but not as guarded as before. His presence felt steady instead of threatening.

At one point Mia yawned and stood up. “I’m heading home. You two lock up?”

“Yeah,” Chaos said. “I’ve got it.”

Mia hugged me quickly before she left. “Don’t stay up too late, you two.”

After she was gone, the bar felt even quieter. Chaos and I sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes.

“You’re settling in,” he said finally, his voice low. “Looks good on you.”

I looked down at my glass. “Don’t get used to it. I’m still figuring things out.”

“I know,” he replied simply.

I finished my drink and stood up. “I should head upstairs. Early shift tomorrow.”

Chaos nodded and walked me to the bottom of the stairs. He stopped there, keeping his distance like always. “Goodnight, Sara.”

“Goodnight, Chaos.”

I climbed the stairs and went into my room. I closed the door, changed into comfortable clothes, and lay down on the bed. The room was quiet except for the faint sound of the town outside.

I stared at the ceiling for a long time. I wasn’t counting the days until I could leave anymore.

That realization hit me hard. I used to wake up every morning thinking about my next move, my next town, my next escape. Now I was thinking about what shift I had, what funny thing Mrs. Ellis might say tomorrow, and whether Chaos would be drinking coffee at the bar when I came downstairs.

I rolled onto my side and pulled the blanket higher, this was dangerous, feeling at home in a place I knew I might have to run from was dangerous.

But lying there in the dark, listening to the quiet sounds of Harlow outside my window, I couldn’t deny it anymore. I was starting to feel at home, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to fight that feeling.