Chapter 6
At 6 AM, when The Clash started blaring, Jess rolled out of bed and groggily pulled on his jeans and a black tee shirt. He knew he needed to have everything ready by 9:00, because Luke would be there by noon and he'd need to open by 9 to close in time for them to have dinner. He'd called Chris last night and he was coming at 8:30 bearing coffee, so for now he decided to soldier through it and just head straight to Matt's.
"Thanks for helping me with this," Jess mumbled an hour later as he and Matt lifted the heavy object into the back of the truck, "Where did you even get this thing on such short notice?"
"Buddy of mine owed me a favor," Matt responded casually as he pushed the frame further into the bed and secured the back. He headed over to the driver's seat, Jess walking around the other side, "And it's no problem. Can I ask what inspired you to reclaim furniture at 11 PM last night?"
"Luke's coming to town," Jess replied, fiddling with the keyhole on the glove compartment, "Just figured it was time I stop forcing myself to sleep like a boy scout every time."
"Fair enough," Matt laughed, turning the key in the ignition, "Want to grab breakfast? We have a little time before Chris kicks our asses for being late."
"Hell, why not. It's not like anyone's going to steal a bed frame out of a flatbed."
An hour later the pair walked into Truncheon, carrying a paper bag.
"Where the hell have you guys been? We've been open for half an hour," Chris hissed as he walked over to them, carrying an unwieldy stack of hardcover books..
"We needed food to strengthen our muscles for the taxing job ahead. Here," Jess handed him the bag. Chris sighed.
"Alright, I forgive you, but only because I smell bacon. And if I'm wrong I reserve my right to kick your ass. Let's go get it, I can warm this up later."
They all headed outside and, with a surprising level of ease, lifted the frame out of the truck.
"Go ahead, tell me how much easier it is when I'm helping you two weaklings," Chris teased, grinning. Matt rolled his eyes.
"Alright Rocky, we get the picture. Let's see how you feel after we tackle the stairs."
"I can handle it. It's you two who should be…FUCK!"
Jess smirked, "Thank god we caught that. Or it might have fallen on Balboa's foot here. Tell me, Chris, do you always scream like a girl when startled or is that just for our mocking pleasure?"
"Ass," Chris mumbled, picking up in the middle again and finishing the ascent.
"Let's just set it here," Jess grumbled, leading them to the other side of the room by the dresser, "Where it was before."
"Are you sure you're not doing this because you need another roommate? Because if you're having trouble making rent I'd suggest actually getting some work done on that fabled second book of yours," Matt mocked.
"I'm sure," Jess glared at him, "I definitely don't miss having to share this place with some asshole who can't even clean a plate. My back just can't handle the pain of sleeping on the floor anymore."
"Well I guess now we know you really haven't had a girlfriend in a while," Chris retorted, "Or you'd be sleeping on the floor all the time."
"No, pretty sure that's just you. Not that I even get why Hannah is still putting up with your ass," Jess cracked, starting down the stairs with the two men, "Especially when she could've had Matt."
"I ask myself that every day," Matt shook his head, earning a shove from Chris and a hearty laugh from Jess.
Luke walked into Truncheon around 12:05. Right on time, Jess thought. Luke caught his eye and awkwardly waved, starting over. Jess smirked, setting down the stack of papers he'd been carrying.
"Luke," Jess smiled, opening his arms and hugging the man. Ever since their bizarre and productive post-self-help conversation years ago, they'd gruffly hugged with a normal frequency, both of them grudgingly and silently acknowledging their appreciation of the ritual. It had almost stopped feeling quite as foreign as it had when they started.
"Jess," Luke grinned, letting go of the young man, "How are you?"
"Not bleeding or anything," Jess smirked, "So it's gonna be a good day. Yourself?"
"Fine, in spite of my smartass of a nephew," Luke retorted. His wit had been catching up lately, probably because of his even more frequent exposure to Lorelai (dirty!). "Thanks for asking. Can I put my stuff upstairs?"
"Let me help you," Jess responded, taking the worn duffel bag from Luke's hand, "God, you really gotta replace that thing."
"I know, Lorelai's on me about it every time I come here," Luke sighed, walking up the stairs after Jess, "Has been for years."
"You know, Luke, I'm more interested in your personal affairs than I was as a kid, but could you refrain from telling me about how often Lorelai is on you? Not sure my stomach can take it."
"Very funny," Luke deadpanned, reaching the height of the stairwell and walking in the door beside his nephew, "Let me just…what is that?"
"You seriously cannot identify that object?" Jess mocked, "Uncle Luke, I know you and Lorelai haven't yet affirmed your future plans but if that's the case I highly recommend against reproduction."
Luke just stared. "Alright, alright. I'll play along. It's a bed."
"But you don't have two beds."
"Optical illusion?"
"Did you get a roommate?"
"Not unless he's a ghost."
"So then…"
"I figured you weren't gonna stop showing up anytime soon. Might as well have it here, it's not like it's in the way."
"Jess…"
"Not a word, Luke, or I'll put on my old Metallica shirt before we head out."
"Say no more," Luke dropped the duffel on the second bed and followed his nephew out of the room.
