Jessica Park - Flat-Out Matt

Flat-Out Matt Jessica Park Copyright 2013, Jessica Park All Rights Reserved No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real events or real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. Flat-Out Matt Matt is a junior at MIT. Hes geeky, he's witty, he's brilliant. And hes also very, very stupid.

When beautiful, cool, insightful Julie moves in with Matts family, why (oh why!) does he pretend to be his absent brother Finn for her alleged benefit? It seems harmless enough until her short-term stay becomes permanent. And until it snowballs into heart-squeezing insanity. And until he falls in love with Julie, and Julie falls in love with Finn. But Matt is the right one for her. If only he can make Julie see it. Without telling her the truth, without shattering them all.

Particularly his fragile sister Celeste, who may need Julie the most. You saw Matt through Julies eyes in FLAT-OUT LOVE. Now go deeper into Matts world in this FLAT-OUT MATT novella. Live his side of the story, break when his heart breaks, and fall for the unlikely hero all over again. Take an emotional skydive for two prequel chapters and seven FLAT-OUT LOVE chapters retold from his perspective, and then land with a brand new steamy finale chapter from Julie. Authors Note Two chapters, The Sleepover and Keep Going, contain more mature content than Flat-Out Love (Keep Going, in particular), and were written based on reader demand.

They wouldnt have fit in well with the original Flat-Out Love, but given that this is a fan driven companion novella, I think they work. While the content here is upped at bit, the scenes are tastefully done. (So, you know, sorry to those of you who wanted lewd and graphic stuff.) DedicationFlat-Out Matt is dedicated to the fans who believed in Matt and who fell in love with this unlikely hero. This book is for you, from Matt, with his eternal gratitude (and embarrassment) at becoming a book boyfriend for so many readers. This is also for geeky guys everywhere who are finally getting the positive attention they deserve. And maybe a little action.

Table of Contents Title Page Flat-Out Matt Authors Note Dedication In This Together #FlatFinnSaves Staying The Elevator Under The Christmas Tree New Years Eve The Polar Plunge The Sleepover The Jump Keep Going About the Author Acknowledgments In This Together A Flat-Out Love Prequel Chapter Matt Watkinsis visible only ininfrared.Finn WatkinsI WOULD LIKE TOANNOUNCE A STRATEGIC ALLIANCEBETWEEN YOUR FACE AND MY ASS,INVOLVING A LOT OF KISSING. Matt set his backpack down and retrieved a water bottle. It was in the mid-forties today on Mount Washington, so the water had stayed blessedly cold. Theyd already done one hike today, and now they were in the midst of their second. Matt was sweaty, achy, and tired, and his feet hurt like hell. This was only the second time that hed worn these hiking boots, and he knew that his feet were starting to blister. But he wouldnt change a thing.

When a third of the water was gone, he returned it to the backpack. Cmon, dude! Finn shouted from twenty yards ahead. We made it through the Fan. Keep going! He lifted his sunglasses, rested them in his hair, and grinned. Finn was in his element. The brothers were on the eastern side of the mountain, on the Huntington Ravine Trail that led to the base of an eight-hundred-foot headwall, and then to the steep slabs and ledges of Central Gully.

It wasnt a particularly difficult route at this time of year, but inexperienced climbers with bad judgment and little (or wrong) equipment could easily get into plenty of trouble during the winter months. Snow rangers had rescued more than one ill-prepared climber from this area. Even without the danger factor that they both loved, Matt and Finn liked this hike. It had every sort of terrain, and they had already gone over large boulders, through rocky scrub, and across a small stream. Some sections, like the Fan, were scree fields, covered with dirt and gravel that could easily make hikers lose their footing. Even Finn wasnt crazy about crossing those in wet weather, but they had dry air and sunshine today.

They now had to tackle the ledges that would take them to Pinnacle Gully, and this next leg of climbing would be all about finding the perfect crevice for their hands to grip and relying on the high-quality soles of their boots. Matt reached his brother. Okay, Im ready. Finn squinted in the sunshine, his blond hair nearly glowing in the light. You sure? Lets just sit for a few minutes. Enjoy the view a bit.

Before Matt could stop him, Finn sat on a slab of rock surrounded by grassy patches. Besides, we should eat again. This right here is the food of champions. He pulled a plastic bag of granola, dried fruit, and chocolate chips from his backpack and held it out to Matt while he rummaged for the beef jerky. We should get Mom to serve this for dinner. Even she couldnt ruin trail mix, right? Matt sat down a few feet away and adjusted the brim of his hat, shielding his eyes from the sun.

I wouldnt count on that. Im quite sure that she could do something irrevocably awful. Perhaps pulverize everything in a blender and serve us a bowl of dust for dinner? We could just snort it through straws! Finn let out his typical loud, infectious laugh. Lets not suggest this to her because shed do it for sure. He leaned back on his elbows. Damn, Matty, would you look at that view.

The mountains, the trees, the perfect sky. What more could you ask for? Not much, Matt agreed. He watched his brother, well aware of how deeply and unabashedly he idolized Finn. Finn, who could do just about anything, and knew how to handle the world with excessive competence and charm. Finn had all the social finesse that Matt knew he never would. Not to mention Finns annoying good looks, made even more attractive by how unaware he was of his flawlessness.

Even minor things, like the fact that Finns hiking pants fell in a somehow cool style while Matts legs looked the same as they did in any pants. It was endearing and exasperating. Finns face was flushed from the cold, which just added to his vibrant aura. I know this is a pretty easy trip for us. Hope you dont mind. Not at all.

But why did you want to do this? We could handle this in our sleep. I just wanted to hang out with you. Its kind of hard to chat when were hang gliding, you know? Finn cupped his hands over his mouth. Maaaatttty! How are youuuuuuu? Okay, fair enough. So, little brother, lets hear about this girlfriend of yours. Its your senior year of high school, youve got a sweet lady to sneak into the house at night, and Im not living at home to help cover for you.

So hows it going? Matt rolled his eyes. Everything is fine. Im well aware of the creaky steps and how to get past Mom and Dads room without them hearing. I trained you well. Finn was clearly pleased. Now, give me dirt.

I have yet to meet this lovely creature, and all I know is that her name is Ellen and shes shooting to get into Yale for next fall. Both true. And how did you two lovebirds meet? Finn said, batting his eyelashes. Ellen and I were both selected to run an afterschool group for those who needed help with molecular biophysics and biochemistry. A number of students have been taking college courses to bulk up their resumes, so weve been tutoring them twice a week. Scintillating.