When Joss Met Matt Read Free Page A

expression was incredulous and amused at the same time.
    I nodded at the pre-med types facing us from the other side of the lab table. “I can read upside down.”
    He grinned and held up a curled hand for a fist-bump.
    And that was how I found myself partners and friends with Matt.
    At the beginning of October, my boyfriend, Ben, called to tell me he was coming up for the weekend. I was so excited, I could barely think. It was the first weekend Ben and I were going to spend together, alone. I felt like a grown-up, although I wouldn’t have admitted that to anyone.
    Rachel knew how happy I was. It would have been hard not to notice; I was practically climbing the walls. On Friday afternoon, she kindly made herself scarce.
    At four o’clock I’d already vacuumed, changed my sheets, showered, and done my hair. There was nothing left to do except sit on my bed pretending to watch TV, but really watching the clock. Each minute dragged into eternity. It was nearly unbearable not knowing when he would arrive.
    Finally, at 4:52, a knock at the door sent me flying to my feet and my heart into my throat. I opened the door to Ben’s smiling face.
    â€œHi!” I squeaked, throwing my arms around him.
    â€œHi,” he answered, hugging me tight. I kissed him, hard. He walked me backward into the room, mouth covering mine without a break.
    â€œIt’s so good to see you,” I breathed, trying to put my hands on every inch of him at once.
    â€œIt’s good to see you.”
    I helped him take off his coat and drop his backpack on the floor. We fell onto my bed, kissing, and his hands were under my shirt in a heartbeat, clawing at my bra.
    In a matter of minutes, my careful hair and makeup job was ruined. We were under the sheets and naked before I could catch my breath. It felt so good to be in Ben’s arms again.
    â€œMake love to me,” I whispered, feeling cheesy even though I really meant it.
    He did. Over and over again for two days. We holed up like criminals in my room, eating delivered pizza and making up for the long weeks apart. Ben was my first everything. First real boyfriend, first love, first first …  and talking on the phone had not been enough. I had never been so happy to see another person in my life. It was incredible.
    Sunday morning, Ben was up early—eight o’clock. He had a long drive ahead of him, and he needed to leave soon. I started to cry as soon as he began packing his things.
    â€œJossie,” he said, sitting beside me on the bed, “don’t cry.”
    â€œI don’t want you to go,” I bawled.
    â€œCome on, now. You know I have to.”
    I nodded, miserable.
    â€œPlease don’t cry. I wanted to talk to you before I go anyway; come on.”
    I sniffled a few minutes before getting myself under control.
    His face was stiff and strange.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?”
    â€œI—I—” he stammered.
    â€œWhat?” I repeated.
    â€œJoss, I—uh, sort of, um … met someone.”
    I blinked at him. He might as well have been speaking Mandarin. I didn’t feel anything—yet. “I don’t understand.”
    â€œI met someone. At school.” He couldn’t meet my eyes, looking instead at something over my shoulder.
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Anger lit a flame within me, but it was just at a simmer so far. I needed more information.
    â€œHer name is Kate.”
    Her name stoked the flames, and I was rapidly moving from simmering to boiling. I stared at him, silent.
    â€œI didn’t want to break up with you over the phone.”
    Finally, I could move. I got off the bed, dragging the sheet with me and snatched my jeans off the floor. My hands were thick and clumsy, but anger kept my grip tight.
    â€œYou’re breaking up with me?”
    â€œI’m sorry.”
    I had to get dressed. I had to protect myself from his eyes. I had to be ready in case I decided to