the one percent

LUANN.

✤

The look Luann shoots Clay is enough to say that she doesn’t completely buy that. While he’s good looking, he’s also arrogant and in her experience most men like that tend to fall into the two pump chump category. But she’s not about to go busting his balls about that, so she refrains from saying anything. Instead she shrugs, only slightly offended that he thinks this is just some sort of walk in the park when in reality it’s actually pretty difficult. “It’s gotta look good,” she answers simply, knowing that the movie is actually more about how it looks rather than how it feels. “Different takes, different angles. You’ll probably be outta here in a couple of hours.” His question about pay has her furrowing her brows and shrugging, “That’s above my paygrade. You’ll have to talk to the producer or payroll at some point.” 

Clay began to play with a ring on one of his fingers. It was hard for him to not say whatever the hell came to his mind, especially when he felt like she was explaining this to him as if he were fifteen. “So we just have sex for a coupl’a hours, I can do that too. Why are you makin’ it sound more complicated than it needs to be, Lu?” Nice and simple always worked for him better anyways. “So how much you make doin’ this then?” 

GEMMA.

•

Tense is a delicate way to describe what the last year has been like for Gemma. It seems like the hits just keep coming, with JT’s venture off to Ireland and the subsequent loss of their son following shortly after. Things aren’t good, to say the least — but somehow, in the most unprecedented way, Clay has become a constant in her life. He was there when Thomas was sick, helping out around the house if she needed it or just keeping her company on the bad days, and to be honest, Gemma appreciates the attention. How could she not when she’s practically starved for it, and he showers her with it? It’s nice to be wanted, which sounds fucked up given the horror she just went through, but Gemma’s almost desperate for someone to lean on and more often than not, Clay gives her just that. Right now, though — when they’re in public — she can’t help but feel a little stressed out about talking to him. Nothing’s happened between them, they’re simply just friends, but they’ve toed the line between friendship and something else more than once at this point, and every time Gemma’s around the man she feels her resolve fading fast. Still, she’s not going to be rude. 

“Hey,” she returns his greeting, smiling back at him before the corners of her mouth turn down again as she looks around the shop. No one’s close enough to hear their conversation, nor is anyone around even paying attention to them, but Gemma’s paranoia always seems to get the best of her. “You have no fuckin’ idea how bad I need that. Kinda seems like a bad idea though. Not afraid JT’s gonna think you’re trying to ride off into the sunset with his girl?” Her tone is teasing, and light in a way she can rarely muster anymore, but underneath the joking there’s some sincerity behind her question — they’re starting to enter dangerous territory lately, and she wonders if Clay even gives a fuck what John might think if he heard about the amount of time they’ve been spending together.

He only wished that he could actually help her, whichever way possible. It was the least he could do for Gemma. Throughout the time that JT was in Ireland, Clay wished that he just stayed there. It would’ve made all of his feelings a lot less complicated. “Yeah, I can tell you a look a little stressed or somethin’.” That’s the whole point, hoping JT would realize that Clay was going to get what he wanted, or whom he wanted in this case whether John liked it or not. Gemma was just the first step in his plan. It didn’t mean that he didn’t actually like her, though. He really did. The combination of her being attractive, badass, and supposedly untouchable made him want her even more. But JT’s mind seemed to be elsewhere right now. Surely he’d notice if his wife ran off into the sunset with one of his best friends, right? “You should know I’m just full of bad ideas by now.” He said before a smirk appeared on his face. 

“I dunno ‘bout you but riding clears my head.” The last thing he wanted was for her to be stressed. Early onset wrinkles didn’t look good on anyone, maybe they would on her but he wasn’t taking that chance. “And I know you’d look good on the back of my bike.” 

TIG.

-

Tig looked up from the bike he was currently working on at the name shithead coming from Clay’s mouth. “Hey man,” he greeted back and then groaned at the ruffling of his hair. Tig reached for a rag to wipe the grease off his hands so he could attempt to tame the unruly mop of curls on his head. Which he immediately did once his hands were somewhat clean. His interest piqued when Clay said he had something to talk to him about. He’d always seen him as kind of a big brother, like a lot of the members. “I ain’t no fuckin’ snitch.” Tig snapped back with a quick frown. It quickly changed back to a neutral expression, then a smile when he moved back to where the other man stood. “What do you need man? And is beer involved at some point?” 

“Just checkin’.” He said with a sly smirk as he continued to look at the younger man. "Yeah if you want some beer, sure. Doesn’t involve bitin’ anyone and you gotta keep your mouth shut too.” He hoped he realized that it’d be a favor for just him and not the club without having to say exactly that. One day however, he’d be able to use the club for his own personal gains without questions asked. JT couldn’t stand in his way forever. “How’re your trailing skills?” He asked as he crossed his arms. “Think you can watch someone without wantin’ to get in their pants? Or am I gonna have to fuckin’ worry ‘bout that too?” 

where: teller-morrow auto shop

when: january, 1991

He had been eyeing this idiot’s drugs that were dangling out of his pocket at the diner. He couldn’t help but steal the weed, it was like taking candy from a baby. It was basically calling his fucking name as he walked out of the diner. Once he got back to the shop, Clay pulled out the little baggie from his pocket, dangling it in front of Bobby. “Want this? Figured you could use it to calm your nerves before you go on,” He mocked, giving his friend a smirk, “The only high I need is the natural rush you get from committing a murder.”

LUANN.

✤

Honestly, Luann had thought Clay was joking when he agreed to do a shoot with them. Hell, she had been joking when she’d told him he should consider a career in porn — a few too many drinks one night having loosened up her tongue and had her, unfortunately, letting him know that he was attractive. Not that it was a lie, but she didn’t really think his ego needed it. Judging by the way he’d barreled in there, Luann has a feeling Clay isn’t entirely sure what he has gotten himself into. Weirdly, she moves to cross her arms in front of her as if she’s suddenly embarrassed to be seen in her underwear before a voice in her head reminds her that the entire world has practically seen her naked. “You know shooting one of these is like an all day event, right?” She asks with furrowed brows. “You don’t just get to flop around on top of one of us for five minutes and call it a day.”

♛

He had to get back to work eventually, at least having some car work that he actually had to do. But he figured this could be a pit stop and he does not want to admit he’s wrong. "I can last for more than five minutes,” He retorted, offended that she thought that.  “I didn’t think it was gonna be that short. I just don’t know how one of these things can last a whole day. All you gotta do is have a storyline that leads to sex which can happen in one or two minutes. I don’t know why that takes a whole day to do. Will my pay be good?” He wasn’t going to let just anyone see his dick on camera if it wasn’t worth his while.  

where: teller-morrow auto shop 

when: jan 1991

Clay was sitting on his bike, finishing his cigar when he saw a certain curly-headed member. “Hey shithead,” He teased, messing with Tig’s hair after he got off his bike. Sure Tig wasn’t that much younger than him but he still felt like a kid to Clay. “You got a second? Wanna talk to you ‘bout something.” He placed his helmet on his handlebars before turning towards the younger man, “Unless you’re gonna be a snitch then I take that shit back and we’ll keep on walkin’ towards the clubhouse.” 

where: teller-morrow auto shop 

when: january 1991

It wasn’t like he was going out of his way to look for Gemma, but he was going out of his way to look for her. Things seemed to be going in a direction (which was a start) for the two of them when John fucked off to Ireland. Sure, he just helped with Thomas and there was never anything physical between the two of them, but he knew there was something. He just had to try harder. But when John came back, he knew he had to back off out of respect for his president. And then Thomas died and Clay thought that he didn’t even deserve the damn title that he had. Who cares if he was in Ireland to expand the sons? It was irresponsible. Clay saw him as weak-willed now. He seemed like a changed man, he wasn’t sure if it was because of his time in Ireland or Thomas’ death. 

Clay looked around to see if anyone was near, not wanting to put Gemma in a compromising position. Not that anything was happening between the two of them anyways. He put his hands in his jean pockets as he approached her. “Hey,” He greeted her with a smile, something that he really only saved for her, “What’re you doing tonight?” Though he continued before she could answer, “Figured we could take a ride. I dunno about you, but I could sure use to clear my head.” 

Where: A Charming Porn Studio

When: January, 1991

Clay turned into the parking lot, breaking his bike before he hit anything else. It’s not like he needed the money in particular, he just enjoyed being the center of attention and showing his body off. That mixed with a little bit of liquid courage that he didn’t need made him insistent on doing this right now. He just hoped they weren’t shooting anything when he walked in though he wouldn’t mind watching. Finding Luann, he quickly went up to her."Alright, if we’re gonna do this, let’s do it now. I don’t got all day to just sit around and do this, I gotta get back to work eventually. So tell them to fire their cameras up and let’s get to it.” He finally caught his breath before collapsing in the nearest chair.