Chapter 5: Tig

We're all still standin' in Gemma's kitchen just processing this craziness when Clay walks in. "Brothers. What's goin on?" I'll give him this. He's observant.

Opie, of all people stepped up. "Nothin'. Tig and I were at the club and figured Jax would be here. Just tryin' to drag him outta here before Gemma goes all Mama Boy on him." He chuckles. I'm fuckin' impressed. Not only by how well he can lie, but the balls he has to lie to Clay.

Gemma and Jax seem actually to be okay goin' along with it because sometimes you gotta fight the fights you know you can win. Fuck. Who am I kidding? I just want to get the fuck outta here. She's so close. Just everyone shut the fuck up and let's go. How Jax convinced me to wait … oh wait, my family's safety. Wow. My family. I have a family. A small smile comes to my face and fuckin' Clay says

"You just get laid? What the hell is wrong with you? You better not be high again…" He's got that don't fuck with me face. Now, I know if it ever came to it, Clay's not clearly as tough as he seems. But, the power he has is enough to keep me at bay, even in this situation.

Jax pipes up and says "He was gettin' some made head, sorry Mom, right before we left. I doubt blood's in his brain yet." Well, he wasn't completely wrong. I've been hard up since seein' that video. She's a Goddess man, pure and simple. Shit, I gotta control myself. I think about the kid. Doesn't do much for the hard-on but at least distracts me.

I'm thanking whoever that Clay can't see inside my head right now, because he just chuckles and says " Tig. You're one weird mother fucker." Well, I've been called worse. Then he says, "you gonna tell me what's goin' on?" Jax steps up and says "Happy called. He thinks that his sister is in some shit with an East Coast MC and wants us to help him look into it…" Shit. Not bad. I wonder if that means Happy's now comin' on this fuckin' adventure now too. Why do we just bring the whole damn club and call it a day?

But, Clay's smarter. "Why the fuck didn't he tell me? This isn't exactly a small favor."

I chose to step up, potentially realizing that honestly I could give a fuck about the club right now "We run guns, Clay. This is a bodyguard ask. You're still gonna have the whole rest of the crew." I look at Bobby with a glare and he nods his head. I get worried that Clay knows we're playin' him, especially because we've said nothin' about Gemma coming along.

But, the power-hungry cocksucker just says "Come back with results." He looks to Gemma and says "What are you doing?" Shit We didn't say shit about her coming with us. But she's Gemma.

"Sallie wants me to drop by. Some kind of drama with Mike." She says, referring to the drama between her sister and her husband. Honestly, though, sadly, or not so much, Jesse and I should win "Drama of the Year" Award in Real Life. The extra cash would help. God. I'm just sad.

I get back in the moment and see Clay chuckle. Shit. Does he really believe this? He's stupider than I thought. Another thing to add onto the growing list of things that eat at me since being his "right-hand man". My patience is lessening by the second. My anger. Everything. I gotta get it out somehow and Clay is my target right now. I look at him ready to just say that we're gettin' the fuck outta here no matter what he thinks but Jax sees me. He's been watchin' me like a god damn hawk.

"Clay, we'll be back by the end of the week." How he's handlin' this so well I don't know but this shows me he's got no problem lying to Clay whenever he wants. The SAMCRO in me wants to bust him on it but, for once in my life, I'm not thinking SAMCRO. Jess. Ian. The only two people I'm thinkin' about right now.

Clay nods his head and says "Fine. Enjoy the big city, boys." He smirks like he knows something. "Keep me informed." He then turns to Gemma and says "I'll see you soon, baby." He leaves the room to go who knows where and there's an awkward silence.

Gemma says "Ok, Jax, you and I are gonna see Abel before we go. I'll take my things with me and we can pick up your stuff on the way. Opie, Tig, go get your shit and meet us at the hospital. We'll leave your bikes at the club and take my truck." Damn she's good.

I walk out to my bike but I hear Gemma say "Tig…"

I turn around. Crap. She's got the Mom face.

"Yeah, Gem?" There's no point in hidin' all this from her. I basically moved in after Jess left.

"You ready for this?" I wasn't really sure what she meant by "this." Seein' Jess again? Talkin' to her? Tryin' to ask her to come back? Meeting my son?

Because she's Gemma and because I can't lie I said "I love her Gem. We've got a kid. I gotta see her…"

She nods and says "I know, baby, and I know how much and I wanna see her too but what if she's happy Tig? What if she just wanted out? Jax says she's doin' well for herself. Are we right thinkin' that we can just go get her and bring her back?" She's right. I know all of us have been thinkin' the same thing.

My need to see her clouds my judgement but I know this might cause more harm than good. I think about what Opie's been sayin' and said "Look, we all wanna go see her. Let's just get there and talk. If she tells us.. or me.. to fuck off and never come back, than that's what I'll do…" I don't believe the words coming outta my mouth but I know it's right.

She smiles. "Alright, baby. Go get your stuff. We'll meet you at the club." She gives me a kiss on the cheek and she and Jax take off. Opie stands there, whoops forgot about the "best friend". Opie and me. We're good. Just not when Jess is involved.

"Let's get out shit, man. We'll be out there by the end of the week. Just think about that." He says. Fuck. I'm gonna see my girl and my kid. For Real. I nod, try to fend off the odd panic feelings, and follow him out of the house.