Read Tame the Beast (Ever After #1) for Free Online Page B

all friends. You said she’s here on a full scholarship.” Luke paused as if he was waiting for Adam to catch on. “She’s perfect. Work your magic on her. See if she’ll tutor you. Although frankly, you wouldn’t need a tutor if you just tried.”
    “I doubt she would go for it,” Adam said, ignoring Luke’s last statement.
    “And why not? As far as I can see, she is your best bet to keep your mom happy and still enjoy this year. What do you have to lose?”
    Adam didn’t want to share the disgusted look Clara gave him at the opening game. “I don’t know, man.”
    “Well, I do. So stop pouting and get your act back together. I need you this year. And I’m not going to spend the next months trying to cheer your mopey ass up.”
    “Fine. I’ll ask her.”
    Truthfully, he wasn’t sure if he would. One thing was for certain; he needed to show his mother he was more than the reputation that hovered over him. He just wasn’t positive Clara would willingly be his scapegoat.
    * * *
    The over-excited students entering Adam’s Creative Writing class made him want to hurl. Anyone glancing his way would realize he had no desire to be there. Then again, why would he be excited about a class he’d already taken?
    Slowly, he found a spot towards the back of the classroom. He hated being back in the familiar seats. It was the same class that ended his reign as party king. Not that it was a hard course to take. But Adam had felt his studies were best focused elsewhere, like in social environments with a strong drink in his hand. He was great at making connections, and who better to connect with than his beautiful classmates?
    Sinking into his chair, Adam sketched useless marks in his notebook. He only took the course as an easy elective, and he found it even simpler when the teacher’s assistant proved to be … well … easy. This time around, Adam didn’t even check out the prospects. He knew there would be no point. Instead, he stared at his notebook as the teacher began.
    “It can entertain as well as connect personal thought and emotion and share human experiences. It can be a poem or a story or even a song. But above all, it’s a form of art,” a very familiar voice said.
    Adam’s attention snapped away from his meaningless sketches. He recognized the voice in an instant. Its soft enchanting sound took center stage in his most recent fantasies.
    “Well said, Ms. Wright,” the teacher replied.
    Clara sat in the second row with her long brown hair pulled over her shoulder. Luke’s words about needing a tutor echoed in his mind and he found himself agreeing with his friend. He would get Clara to tutor him because he wanted to enjoy his year, not because he wanted an excuse to be around her.
    The seconds seemed to slow as he waited for the class to be dismissed. He was almost bouncing in his seat as the teacher wrapped up the day’s lesson and the students shuffled out of the small lecture room. Adam stood outside the door as he waited for Clara to exit the building. He was at her side the moment she did.
    “So, you’re taking Creative Writing this year?” he asked.
    “I guess I am,” Clara replied. The hostility in her tone did not escape him.
    He gently tugged her arm, pulling her beautiful gaze to his. “I’m sorry, did I piss you off somehow? Because if I did, I’m truly sorry. And I’d like to start over.”
    Clara looked as if she was holding something back, but she finally said, “Yeah. Sure. Let’s start over.” With a million-watt smile, she held out her hand and said, “I’m Clara.”
    “Adam.” He tried dazzling her with his own grin as he shook her hand. “Would you like to get some coffee with me?”
    It felt like a small victory when she agreed. He guided her to the nearest coffee stand before she could change her mind. He found himself distracted by the way the wind pulled at her hair the way it had at the football game.
    He tugged at her low ponytail as he asked, “Do you