In the Time of the Caveman

by Samantha Leal

  The bell tinged and Tammy, one of the waitresses and Lexi’s close friend, bounced through the door. She spotted Lexi right away and hurried over to her. She slid into the booth and threw her arms around her.

  “Oh my God,” she panted, “are you okay?”

  Lexi wasn’t surprised that Tammy knew about what happened with Marv already. Slate Springs was probably one of the smallest and most gossip-filled places in the world.

  “Yes,” she nodded, “I’m fine.”

  “What a piece of shit he is.” Tammy smoothed a comforting hand over the side of her head. “I never liked him.”

  “Me neither,” Lexi admitted, “but work is work.”

  Tammy wrapped her arms around her and squeezed her tight.

  “How did you find out, anyway?” Lexi asked.

  “One of the new girls up there came by Dad’s store earlier,” Tammy rambled. “She was all ditzy and blonde, with barely a brain cell and she was jabbering on about how Marv had got rid of one of the best girls at the club, and the more she talked, the more I knew it was you.”

  “Did she say anything else?” Lexi asked, half cringing. She hated the idea of being the talk of the town.

  “No,” Tammy said with a sigh. “Just that she can’t believe it either.”

  “Well, her and me both…” Lexi rubbed her temples. Just talking about the events of the past twenty-four hours was giving her that sickening headache again.

  “What are you gonna do?” Tammy asked her as she got to her feet.

  “No idea,” Lexi shrugged. “I really have no idea…”

  Tammy smiled sympathetically and walked over to the counter as she pulled on her apron. Lexi watched her and wished she had chosen a simpler way of life. Tammy never had any trouble working at the diner, her paycheck was always on time, and her boss wasn’t a sleaze. Now, that was all Lexi wanted.

  “Hey,” the man’s voice came from behind her.

  She turned and looked over her shoulder and was met by his wonderful eyes.

  “You having some trouble?” he smiled and his whole aura pulled her in again. With just a glance, he was wrapping his arms around her and pulling her so close she didn’t think she would ever be able to break free—or want to.

  “No, I’m alright,” she smiled, but she could already feel the tears pricking up behind her eyes.

  She looked down at the table as her vision started to blur. The bikers were all in the corner, laughing and joking and clinking beers, but Lexi was aware that one of them… Him… was coming closer. His boots stomped across the linoleum until his huge frame was looming above her. She let her eyes trail up and trace the perfect lines of his body… the tattoos that covered him, all up his arms, were so intricate and exotic… full of skulls, dancing women, roses, and thorns. He put his hands on the table in front of her and bent down. He was so close, she could feel his hot breath on her skin, and she tingled from the inside out with desire for him. The chemistry between them was electric. She had never felt anything like it before in her entire life.

  “What’s the matter?” he asked with a whisper as his hand moved next to hers. “Just tell me what I can do… I’ll never see a pretty girl cry.”

  She looked up at him and their eyes locked again. She could feel the connection between them intensifying with each passing second. She didn’t even know his name, but she could tell he was a man who was about to change everything…

  4.

  He slid into the booth opposite her and clicked his fingers for Tammy to come and serve them.

  “This woman needs a beer,” he said with a crinkled smile. “On me.”

  Lexi wiped her eyes on the corner of her wrist. Tammy was over his shoulder looking at her concerned, but Lexi smiled and nodded her head.

  “Thanks…that would be great.”

  Tammy nodded and said, “Coming right up,” before making her way back to the counter.

  “So,” he said, splaying his hands across the table, “I’ve never seen you before.”

  Lexi smiled and felt herself relax. “Well then, you haven’t been looking.”

  A smile danced across his lips, and there was something in his eyes that was more than lust… It was pure animalistic need.

  “I’m King,” he said.

  “Lexi,” she held out her hand.

  When their hands locked together and she felt his skin against hers for the first time, her heart thumped hard in her chest. She found it hard to tear herself away, but when she did, he picked up the beer bottle with his big, rough hands, just as Tammy appeared at the booth with one for Lexi.

  King passed it to her and then held his into the middle of the table.

  “To new friends,” he said as he clinked his bottle against hers.

  “To new friends,” Lexi smiled.

  The other bikers at the back of the room were watching them and started wolf whistling. King flipped them the bird, and as they all made their way over to the table, he shook his head and took the ribbing.

  “Don’t worry,” one of them said. “He’s a gentleman.”

  Lexi laughed as she watched them slap him on the shoulder one by one as they went to the door and made their way outside.

  “I’ll be back in an hour,” King called after them.

  The bikers all mounted their rides and started revving their engines. Lexi found herself transfixed with them as they all growled out onto the highway on their powerful machines.

  “You ever ridden a bike before?” King asked her.

  “Never,” Lexi smiled. “But I’d like to give it a go.”

  “Well then, maybe I’ll take you sometime,” he winked.

  She felt herself blushing, and she sipped on the beer to try and disguise it.

  “So,” he began, “you gonna tell me what your friend was talking about?” He nodded over his shoulder in Tammy’s direction and stared at Lexi deep in the eyes.

  She shuffled on the spot for a moment, unsure of whether she should be telling a stranger her personal problems, but he seemed determined to know, and maybe he would be able to help her in some way…

  “I was fired by my jackass of a boss last night,” she exhaled. “He threw me out onto the street by my hair and told me never to come back.”

  His eyes widened and his face hardened.

  “He threw you out?” he scowled. “Well that’s no way to treat a lady.” His grip on the bottle tightened and he curled his lip.

  “He’s a prick,” Lexi continued. “I never liked working for him, but like I said to my friend, work is work…”

  “Where were you fired from?” He took another swig.

  Lexi felt herself blushing again. She had never been ashamed of her job as a dancing girl, but there with King, she suddenly found herself not wanting to admit that she had stripped for cash.

  “Red X,” she whispered, waiting for his reaction.

  “The strip club?” he asked with raised eyebrows.

  Lexi nodded.

  “Can’t say I’m surprised,” he smiled. “Gorgeous little thing like you…” He winked at her, and she felt herself relax.

  “Well, I certainly don’t work there anymore,” she said. “So basically, I’m screwed. There’s nothing around here for someone like me. I can’t work in a diner… It would drive me nuts. I like action! I like to feel empowered, and Slate Springs doesn’t exactly have much to offer in that department. Even if it’s built on a world of crime.” The second she said it, she slapped her hand across her mouth and her eyes almost popped out of her head. She had momentarily forgotten who she was talking to and her heart nearly hit the floor.

  King smiled with amusement and shook his head.

  “Well, maybe that’s what you need,” he grinned. “To get involved with some of that. I reckon it would keep you on your toes…”

  “Oh yeah?” she challenged.

  King nodded and drained the last of his beer from the bottle.

  “Come around our bar tonight,” he said as he got to
his feet. “We sure could use a girl like you, and I know I’d like to see more of you.” He winked at her before he turned on his heel and made towards the door.

  Lexi wanted to call after him, to ask him to wait. She wanted to keep talking with him and to get to know more about him. After just a brief conversation, she was hooked and it felt like it was all over too soon.

  “I’ll be there at nine,” he said before he pushed open the door and made his way back out into the burning sun.

  Lexi watched him with bated breath as he climbed onto his bike and started the engine. He was so raw and powerful, and just watching him pull away and out onto the highway made her skin prickle with desire.

  He disappeared into the distance and Lexi didn’t pull herself away until he was completely out of sight.

  “Who was that?” Tammy said as she rushed over and slid into the booth opposite Lexi.

  “King,” she grinned. “He’s one of the bikers…”

  “One of the Forsaken Riders?” she asked excitedly.

  “I assume so…” Lexi twirled the beer bottle in her hands.

  “He was hot as hell,” Tammy grinned. “But they’re all such bad boys… Be careful, okay?”

  “He just overheard our conversation,” Lexi said. “Think they must need someone to work in their bar… He wants me to go over there tonight.”

  Tammy’s eyes widened with excitement. “Oh my God, are you going to go?

  Lexi shrugged and started blushing again.

  “I don’t have many other options do I?” she asked. “No job… desperate to get out of my mom’s house… How else am I going to get a place of my own if I don’t have an income?”

  “But aren’t they like…” Tammy hushed her voice, “criminals?”

  “What, and Marv isn’t?” Lexi snorted. “You wanna know why he fired me? Because I wouldn’t hook up with him, Tammy. The guy’s a perverted asshole. At least King seemed to be genuinely nice!”

  Tammy shook her head and stroked Lexi’s arm.

  “I’m sorry that happened to you,” she said sadly. “Marv is a complete jerk. You’re better off out of that place.”

  “I know,” Lexi sighed. “It just feels so shitty to have been humiliated like that…” She felt the tears welling up behind her eyes again and breathed out deeply.

  “Well,” Tammy said, “the Forsaken Riders have been in this town for decades, and they’ve never really given anyone I know any trouble… Who cares what they do behind closed doors or what deals they’ve got going on? If there’s a job there and you want it, then go for it.” She smiled with encouragement.

  “Yeah,” she nodded. “You’re right… I’ve always tried my best to stay away from all of that stuff, but what other options do I have?”

  Tammy shrugged.

  “I’m going to go,” she said as she got to her feet. “I better get myself ready.”

  She slapped some cash down on the table top and Tammy got to her feet to give her a hug.

  “You’re going to be great,” Tammy smiled. “Let me know how it goes tonight, okay?”

  “Of course,” Lexi beamed. “You’ll be the first one to hear all about it.”

  “I wonder what it’s like in there,” Tammy said excitedly. “I’ve heard so many stories from various people who end up in here late at night, but I’ve never been in myself.”

  “Me neither,” Lexi said as she picked up her purse. “Only one way to found out, I guess.”

  “Sure is,” Tammy smiled. “And hey, you never know, your hot new biker friend might even kick Marv’s ass for you.” She laughed and winked.

  “Ha, if only!” Lexi grinned.

  As she made her way back out into the afternoon sun and began her slow walk home, she suddenly couldn’t believe how random the past twenty-four hours had been. Maybe she was making a mistake in taking King up on his offer. She could be walking into a situation worse than what she was in at Red X… But she had to find out.

  The bikers’ presence in Slate Springs had unnerved her when she was younger, but as she had grown up and become a woman, she had a mind of her own and knew she couldn’t listen to her mother forever. It was time for her to form her own opinions and not just live rules set for her by a mom who didn’t respect her judgement. She had hated Dereck, the boyfriend, since the moment she had met him and expressed her concerns to her mom on many occasions, only to be met with a wall of silence or excuses. When her mom had moved him in, it had broken Lexi’s heart and she felt as if part of their bond had been torn. Now they were all stuck under one roof, and maybe The Forsaken Riders could offer her a way out. She had managed to save some cash from her work at Red X… and maybe King would be able to help her to get Marv to pay up the rest if she impressed him enough that night.

  As she walked along the side of the highway, her mind was quickly made up. She was doing the right thing. She was going to go over there and she was going to give it her all. She was her own person, and she was in charge of her own destiny. And she had the feeling that she was heading in the right direction.

  5.

  As she walked in the front door, she could immediately hear and smell Dereck. The stench of stale booze and sweat hit her the second she entered the hallway, and she rolled her eyes. She always tried her very best to avoid him, but their paths crossed at least once a day since he had moved in, and she couldn’t stand it.

  “That you, Lex?” her mom called from the kitchen.

  She debated just running straight upstairs and ignoring them both, but she knew she couldn’t keep it up forever. What if she didn’t get the job at the biker bar? She would be stuck under the same roof with them for a whole lot longer.

  She walked down the hallway and into the kitchen. Dereck and her mom were sitting at the table drinking gin, and Lexi eyed them cautiously as she made her way to the refrigerator.

  “It’s four in the afternoon,” she said. “Do you really need to be drinking that?”

  “Coming from the stripper?” Dereck snorted.

  “Dereck,” her mom slapped him on the shoulder, but laughed along with him. “You alright, sweetheart?” she asked. “You didn’t seem yourself this morning.”

  “I’m fine,” she answered.

  She wasn’t going to tell her mom about where she was heading that night. She knew it would only cause an argument, and she had enough on her mind without having to deal with even more shit at home.

  She pulled a large bottle of water from the top shelf, smiled at them both out of courtesy and then left the kitchen. She went straight upstairs and into her room, where she closed her door and pushed her desk chair up against it. Even though it wouldn’t keep anyone from coming in, she liked the feeling of being just that little more shut off. She liked feeling cocooned and safe.

  She unscrewed the cap on the water bottle and swigged greedily from it. The day had been so hot and after the booze she had put away the night before along with all of the walking she had done in the day’s heat, she was feeling so dehydrated she was dizzy.

  She lay back on her bed and stared up at the ceiling. The dull thrum of an argument filtered up from the kitchen below, and she rolled her eyes. She always wondered what it would have been like if her father hadn’t died before she was born and they had been a happy family, if Dereck had never existed to them and they were a solid unit of love and trust. How she wished she could just escape and get the hell out of there. They always seemed to argue when they’d been drinking, and it was becoming more frequent. Lexi couldn’t remember a day or an evening when she had come home and they both weren’t glued to a bottle. She knew it was only a matter of time before he started using his fists, and she didn’t want to be around to see it happen. Her mom wouldn’t listen to her, and she had even offered to pay most of the mortgage every month so it wasn’t as if Dereck was there out of necessity. But the facts were simple, her mother loved him and was always going to put him first, and that was that.

  The clock ticked on her bedside table, an
d she knew she had several hours before she had to make her way over to the bar. She rolled over and closed her eyes, letting the cool breeze from the window blow around her as her mind raced with thoughts of King and what it would be like seeing him again. Her body ached with exhaustion, and within moments she was falling soundly asleep.

  She awoke with a start, surrounded by darkness. She rolled over and squinted up at the clock on her bedside table. Her stomach dropped as she realized it said 9:23.

  “Shit!” she shouted as she jumped up from the bed and turned on her table light. She looked in the mirror and her make-up was half smudged on one eye and she was hot and sticky.

  “I can’t go looking like this!” she said as she ran through into the bathroom and yanked on the shower.

  She could hear the sound of the TV downstairs accompanied by the grunting of Dereck’s snoring. She knew they would have both polished off the bottle of gin and fallen asleep on the couch.

  Don’t ever let me end up like them, she thought.

  After she had showered and spritzed herself with perfume, she slipped into her tightest pair of low-cut jeans and a little black tank top that enhanced her best assets. She plumped up her lips with red lipstick and outlined her eyes heavily with kohl before she stepped into a pair of black stilettos and grabbed her purse. It was just after 10:00 pm and she was late, but she hoped King would still be there.

  As she left the house and ran out into the night, her heart was racing with anticipation. It was time for her to go to the other side of town to a place she had never been, which was shrouded in mystery and intrigue…The Bleeding Bullet. She was actually about to walk in there and hopefully get herself a job. She smiled as she kept walking. She felt strong and determined. She was going to take control of her life and ensure she never had to put up with Marv or her mom and Dereck’s shit ever again.

  This is the first day of the rest of my life, she thought. And even though she knew it was a cheesy cliché, she also knew it was true.