Hot For Teacher (50 page)

I go to practice again at Duke’s, and our sound is amazing. I then go home to my empty apartment, once again, eat, shower and hit the bed. The next day is more of the same, but I give all my classes an assignment to have completed by Monday. I tell them to go out and listen to a live band and write a five page essay about their experience. Critique them and outline what their strengths and their weaknesses are. What they could do to improve their sound, the look and feel of the band and anything else that would help their careers.

By Friday, I’m feeling excited and ready to play at Randy’s, but the day seems to move so slowly. I walk out to the courtyard with my sack lunch hoping to have a couple of minutes to jot down some more lyrics of the new song I’ve been working on all week. I stop when I see Emma sitting against a tree in the shade away from everyone else. I start to walk over to her and get stopped by several girl students. When I finally reach her, I stand in front of her and ask, “What’s so interesting?” Her eyes move up to mine, her pen in between those luscious full lips, and she looks back down at the book in her hand, quickly.

“Stupid Calculus, like I’ll ever use this shit.”

“Mind if I join you?” She looks back up at me and shrugs her shoulders. I sit down next to her and start removing things from my bag. “I’m not bad at Calculus. Want some help?” I pull out an apple and notice she has no food. Maybe she already ate it or by the looks of her, maybe she doesn’t eat much. I hold it out to her and can tell by the look in her eyes she really wants to take it. “Go on. I have another one. I insist.” She gives me a small smile and takes it from my hand quickly, and I’m mesmerized when her full lips cover it as she takes a huge bite.

“Thanks,” she says quietly.

I carefully reach over and take the book from her hands and lower my eyebrows when I read her assignment. “I get that you have to have requirements but why the hell they make you take classes like this if you’re not gonna use it makes no sense.”

“Uh, you’re a teacher. Aren’t you supposed to be telling me how essential all the classes are for any good career choice?” She looks up at me with her light blue eyes hidden underneath her long black lashes and smiles. I love her light blonde hair with just a hint of light brown highlights, which always seems to be in a braid or in a high ponytail. She always seems comfortable in her jeans, while her tank tops or short sleeved shirts show me how secure she is in her own flawless skin.

I laugh and see how beautiful her smile is. “Well, I suppose I should but I’m not just any normal teacher. I guess I tell students how it is but I probably shouldn’t in the school’s academic eyes.” She laughs, and I swear my cock strained against my jeans at the beautiful sound. “Okay, look here….” I point to the page she has things highlighted on and go over a few things with her. Relishing at the closeness of her body when she moves next to me, and her unique smell invading my senses. I have to work really hard to concentrate on what I’m saying. We end up talking for an hour, and she even said I helped her, but she still feels useless at Calculus. I watch her walk off and feel like I’ve finally found someone I want to get to know, share my music with and maybe even my life. What the hell? How can I feel that way so quickly? I’ve never believed in fate or instant love but there’s just something about her, something that has me mesmerized and wanting to know her better. However, as a teacher, I know I can’t let it go any further. Although as a man, I hope the school year flies by since I know this is her last year of school, and I want nothing more than to take her out. This is gonna be the longest school year of my young teaching life.

I didn’t think Friday would ever get here! Lunch was…. More than interesting and I found it so hard to concentrate on his words as he tried to help me. His scent was rugged and manly, and his eyes seemed to look deep into my soul as he spoke. A teacher, figures. I finally find a guy that not only is hot and sexy but music is his love. There’s no chance in hell I can even think about wanting a relationship when society’s rules dictate you can’t have one with a teacher. Just my bad luck!

I tried to take a short nap after classes but as usual my mind wouldn’t let me sleep. I get up, take a hot shower, shave and lotion down, and then get on the half skanky shirt the bar makes us wear. After braiding my long hair so it lays over the front of my shoulder, I apply light makeup for the evening. I have to admit I’m getting a little excited to hear this new band tonight since Randy won’t shut up about them. He thinks they’re the next hit of the world and thinks he’s gonna rake in a small fortune this weekend. Good, maybe he’ll give me the raise he’s been promising me for two years now. Yeah, I’m sure that will happen.

“Yo! Burke!” He looks over at me from the front door and nods. “Number two keg needs to be changed!” He nods again says something to the other bouncer, whose name I always forget, and walks over to the bar. I finish washing glasses and am wiping my hands off on a rag when people start coming in. “Hey, what can I getcha?” I ask a couple of girls who sat down on the stools at the counter. They barely tell me their orders as they chat and giggle. I start filling their beer glasses when my ears zone into their conversation.

“He’s so freaking HOT. I hope that bitch doesn’t show up tonight. She got on my last nerve at the last bar they played. She thinks she’s all that, and he doesn’t even look at her.” My eyes shift to her loud gum popping and twirling of her hair and I try not to roll my eyes.

“I know! And she tried to get up on the stage and had to be carried out, screaming and kicking her legs. What a whore. We all know he only has eyes for you anyway. He always sings your favorite song, looks into your eyes, and all the bitches are just green with envy.”

I bring over the beers, set them down in front of them and take their money. Great! Another fucking hottie who is full of himself and lives for all the girls’ attention. There went my hope for some good music tonight.

Pretty soon, I start to get slammed and the other bartender, Trevor, and I have a hard time keeping up with orders. I look up as I pour a beer and see the place is more packed than it’s ever been. Well, at least they’re good for business if nothing else. “Here you go. That’ll be twelve-fifty.” The guy hands me his credit card, and I walk over to the POS system punch in the figures and swipe his card. I hear instruments behind me starting up as I grab his receipt and walk over handing it to him with his card. “What do you need?” I yell as the band’s music begins to play and the women in the crowd start screaming. The girl in front of me turns her head towards the stage, and I scream out again at the customer. “What’s your order?” A familiar voice speaks into the microphone, and I freeze, hand ready to tap the girl’s shoulder. I look out through the crowd and up on the stage. Oh, my freaking God. There with his hand holding the microphone stand, a guitar strap over his shoulder and the guitar hanging down his side, wearing a white wife-beater and black tight jeans, is none other than my music teacher, Mr. Tyler. What in all of God’s holy name is he doing here?

“Hey! Welcome to Randy’s Place!” Screams of deafening proportions pierce my eardrums making me cover them quickly. His sexy laugh makes my eyes go wide and my heart races as it magnifies from the sound system. “We’re ‘The Forgotten’ but I hope after tonight you don’t forget us or our awesome sounds.” I watch as his head turns back to his bandmates and then the drummer hits his sticks together and the band starts playing.

“Hey! Two beers!” My head reluctantly turns to a guy waving money over the counter, and I go grab a couple of glasses and start filling them, the girl never turning back around to give me her order. We’re swamped and the women are screaming with every note played, every word sung, making it hard to hear their music, and I almost fall twice trying to hurry to fill drink orders. The crowd roars as the band states they’re taking a quick break, and then the bar counter gets mobbed with people.

“Yo, Em! Go see what the band wants to drink. I’ll cover ya,” Randy shouts as he walks behind the bar. I wipe my hands off on my jeans and nod, quickly walking behind Trevor and out the back way towards the hallway that leads into the private room we have for the band members. I hear Tina whisper, “Lucky Wench” as my heart starts beating wildly with the thought that if by some miracle he didn’t see me before, he will now. I walk into the room just as he removes his wife-beater using it to wipe the sweat from his brow, and I can’t swallow the lump in my throat or the desire that skyrocketed throughout my body. No one has ever made me feel this way. Oh, there was a guy once, who I kind of liked, but I’ve never had the sensations that are flowing through me now. The butterflies have tied knots in my stomach just looking at him. Shit! I hope I’m not becoming just another one of his groupies.

“Cool! They’re sending in sexy women into the backroom for us! Totally awesome!” One of the guys says loudly, and I freeze when Mr. Tyler’s eyes flash to mine.

I smile coyly and look around. “Uh, no. I’m here to take drink orders, sorry.” My eyes shift back to Mr. Tyler’s, and I watch as his smile spreads. I can’t help but look down at his muscular arms, the light wisps of hair on his broad chest, his more than tight abs, and I about choke on my spit.

“I didn’t know you worked here,” he whispers as his eyes gaze into mine then down my body, and suddenly I’m self-conscious of my half top and put my arms around my waist.

“Ah, girl, don’t cover up. How ‘bout you get us some beers and shots of tequila and then you can sit on my lap and tell me all about yourself.” One of the guys shouts, and I quickly turn and walk very fast out of there. Fuck my life! I practically run to the side bar. I get their beers and fill the shot glasses with tequila and carry the huge tray back to the room, setting it on the round table in the corner and find myself in between two of the guys. The one who ‘wants to get to know me’ puts his arm around my lower thigh and pulls me onto his lap as I turn to leave. “Hey, not so fast, girlie. Now how about you let me take my shot between your nice girls there, and then we can have a nice….” His eyes move up and down my chest as he licks his lips. “Chat.”

I look up when Mr. Tyler grabs my hand and pulls me up. My chest hits his hard with the force, and I swear I heard him growl. I thank all that’s holy that he put another wife-beater on so I didn’t hit his naked skin. “Knock it off, Duke,” he sneers back at the other guy.

“Fuck! You’re no fun!” He grumbles as he lifts his shot glass and tilts his head back as he slams it down.

Mr. Tyler pulls my hand, and I follow him out of the room and into the small hallway. I remove my hand from the warmth of his and lean back against the wall and watch as he mimics me on the wall across from me. “Sorry about Duke, he’s a mess. How long have you worked here?”

I look down and start wringing my hands in front of me. “Mr. Tyler, I don’t think….”

“It’s Josh, at least when we’re not at school,” he whispers and my eyes snap to his, the warmth of his beautiful smile calming me. I’m in so much trouble.

I can’t help my smile from appearing as I remove my hands from their tight clasp and take a deep breath. “I’ve bartended here for a little over two years, ever since I moved here. And just how long have you been in a band? I have to say I was more than surprised when I saw you up on the stage tonight.”

He chuckles, and I have to cross my legs to try to contain the ache that develops quickly, and his eyes lower as he rubs the scruff on his face. I find myself wanting to lick where he’s rubbing.

“We’ve been playing together for about four years now. It’s always quite the experience with these guys but we have fun and we enjoy sharing our love of music.” His eyes roam my body again, and I get more than self-conscious. “You look…. You look beautiful tonight.” He licks his full lips, and I start to slide down the wall to get back to the bar. His hand is suddenly on my arm, stopping my movements, but I dare not look at him. “I’d love to buy you a drink after the bar closes tonight, if…. If you want to.” My heart feels like it could leap out of my chest as I turn my head slightly and see the pleading look in his eyes. I nod shakily and watch his lips move up into a smile as he releases my arm, and I walk quickly back to the bar where it’s safe. This is so wrong. He’s my teacher. But God, since when have I ever played by anyone’s rules? This is so going to be the slowest night of my life.

§    §    §    §

Longest show of my life when all I want to do is talk to Emma. The way her gorgeous eyes met mine in the hallway, the way she fidgeted as I looked at her. I could sense her body responding to my voice and shit, what a body and mind. Fuck! Why does she have to be a student of mine? How unlucky am I? Why on earth do I find someone who I actually want to know, be with, and am not free to do so?

Finally, we’re about to play the last number and I turn to the guys and whisper, “The Hardest Things.” Duke rolls his eyes and then shrugs as Phillip and Mark wink. “Thanks a ton for being here with us tonight. You all Rock!” The women crowd around the edge of the stage and scream. “This is a new number and you all are the first to hear it. I hope you like it.” They all scream again but as I sit down on the stool and start strumming my guitar they all quiet down.

How can life be so unfair at times?

Why can’t it give me what I need?

Is it too much to ask for the one I love?

Why is it always the hardest of times for me?

All I want to do is know you,

Love you,

And keep you safe.

But life has a way to always intervene,

Keeping us apart.

Why is it always the hardest of times for me?

I continue to play and sing, pouring out everything I feel about Emma into this one song. As I reach the end, I look up and see her standing behind the bar. Her blue eyes sparkling from the overhead light and I see her heavy breathing and know in my gut she’s affected by my words. That makes me even more determined to get to know her, want her and try to figure out a way to have her.

I finish off the last chords of the song but you can’t hear them over the screaming women. A girl I’ve seen at several bars starts to pull herself up to get on the stage and I rise and take a few steps back. “You always play our song for the last one. Why did you have to ruin it? You didn’t play it at all for me tonight.” She cries as she’s almost on the stage. A big bouncer is there just as she stands and starts to run, grabbing her around her waist and carries her off crying, screaming and hitting his arms.

“Night, everyone! Be careful getting home. Be safe! We’ll see you again tomorrow night!” Screaming and yelling ensues as I walk down the few steps off the stage and make a beeline for the backroom, the guys hot on my heels. When we get into the room, I see a tray of beers and shots and look around, but Emma isn’t here. We all down our shots and sit around drinking our beers then start loading up the instruments we can take with us. We start heading out of the bar through the backdoor, and I turn suddenly, walk back down the hallway and peer around the corner. I see people cleaning up. No customers are left, and Emma is nowhere around. Letting out a big sigh, I turn back and walk towards the backdoor wondering if I made the biggest mistake of my life and scared her off. I push open the door and start walking to my truck. My head down in my frustration but a noise causes me to look up. My smile spreads when I see Emma sitting in her car next to my truck. I jog the rest of the way open my door and place my guitar carefully on the passenger side floor board then turn around and smile as she lowers her passenger window. I walk over lay my arms down on the door and lean in the window and laugh when I see she has sunglasses on. “Uh, I don’t think you need those. I don’t think the sun will be that bright until tomorrow.” I wink as she laughs and then puts her hand on the frames, sliding them down her nose, so I can see her eyes.

“I’m incognito. We can’t have people seeing us together or you’ll lose your job.” Shit! I hadn’t even thought of that, well I had but not sure I really care. “Come on. Follow me. I know an out of the way café that’s open all night.” My eyebrows raise as I wonder how she would know of such a place. “Hey, when you work until the early hours and are in desperate need of a great cup of coffee and some quiet time, you go looking. Now, get in your truck.” She winks as I smile, turn to my truck and get in. She’s already heading out of the lot by the time I get my seatbelt on. I have no problem catching up to her little car and follow it for what seems like a half an hour until she finally turns into a small parking lot. After I park and get out of my truck, I look up at the sign and smile. I catch up to her and watch her shyness as I open the door to ‘Mabel’s Music’. She walks in, and I follow her over to a corner table in the back. The other side of the place is covered with racks of CD’s, old albums and various posters of bands on the walls. Very nostalgic.

“This is quite the place.” I smile, and she hands me a small menu right as a woman walks up to the booth. She appears to be maybe in her fifties and has a huge smile on her face.

“Emma! Where have you been, girl? You haven’t graced me with your presence in several weeks now. How are you, sweetheart?” I look at the woman and see how kind her face is and then look over to Emma, who’s smiling big at her, and I can tell they’ve had a great relationship for a while.