Read And The Beat Goes On for Free Online Page B

examined everyone in the bar. A few tables were filled with Manchester United fans. A few people at the bar weren’t facing the TV. Instead, they sipped their drinks.
    When I saw a man that looked like Mr. Clearwater, I realized I was hallucinating. Every since the conversation I had with him last week, I’d been thinking about him often. I wondered about his physique under his suit. I wondered why he wanted to speak to me after class. I felt dirty being attracted to my teacher but I couldn’t help it. He was a little arrogant and cocky, but I was still drawn to him. I shook my head and looked again.
    He was still there.
    And he was staring me down, just like he did in class. Okay, it really was him. I looked away and played it cool. Even if I wanted to talk to him, I’d have no idea what to say. And I’m sure the last thing he wanted was to talk to a student outside the classroom. It didn’t seem like he cared about the class anyway.
    Heather finished her second beer then pushed aside the empty glass. “I got the first and second round. You get the third.”
    Umm…that meant I had to go to the bar—and Mr. Clearwater was there. “How about you get this one and I’ll get the next one?”
    Heather eyed me.  “Come on, Athena. I went the last two times.”
    I wanted to tell her about my teacher but that would be awkward. I would sound slutty. “Fine.” I left our table and approached the bar. I made sure I didn’t look at Mr. Clearwater. If he knew I was interested in him, he’d probably be extremely uncomfortable.
    The bartender finally noticed me and took my order. I still didn’t look at Mr. Clearwater. Fortunately, there was a TV directly in front of me so I looked at that instead.
    I felt an arm brush against mine. There was plenty of space on either side of me, so I knew it was intentional.
    “Manchester fan?” he asked.
    I knew who it was. I controlled my anxiety. “Yes. You?”
    “I’d be shot if I weren’t.” He stood beside me, his beer in front of him.
    I smiled. “Good point. How are you?”
    “Well. I’m enjoying my day off. You?”
    “I’m well.” I waited for my bartender to hurry. Why was he taking his time? He was helping other people like my order was forgotten.
    He scooted closer to me, his arm touching mine. The heat from his body radiated into me. I felt like I was standing directly next to the sun. I sneaked a glance at him and saw the stubble of his jaw. His blue eyes were focused on the TV, so I stared at their beauty. They were light, just like the sky. He towered over me with his height, making me feel small. I tried not to be intimidated by him but I was.
    “Are you enjoying my class?”
    If I didn’t, I obviously couldn’t say that.
    He smiled, reading my mind. “You can speak freely.”
    “It’s definitely not a traditional class.”
    “Meaning?” He drank from his glass then returned it to the counter.
    “It’s hard to study for. We’re trained to take notes, memorize the information, and then repeat it on a test.”
    He nodded. “That’s exactly why I didn’t teach it that way. A businessman can’t follow the same protocol and expect to be successful. You have to think outside the box, find different ways of learning and producing results. Believe me, you’ll thank me later.”
    “I don’t think the students are paying a fortune for an unorthodox education.”
    “Then they won’t make a fortune,” he said simply.
    He had a point.
    “Now, what do you think about my class?”
    Didn’t I answer that?
    “And don’t beat around the bush.”
    “I like it—for the most part.”
    His eyes narrowed. “And what don’t you like—for the most part?”
    “Mainly, the first thing you said.”
    “I say a lot of things. Be more specific.” His voice came out assertive. I could tell he was a control freak.
    “You said we’re all there for one reason. To make money. I don’t agree with that.”
    “You don’t want to make money?” He raised an