Fighting to Survive (Guarded Hearts Book 3) by Alexis Noelle

notice five chairs which is strange considering there are only four of us.  An awkward silence sets in as we all look over the menus. Half of the crap on here I have never even heard of. When I see someone sit in the empty seat at the table, I look up and see a guy about my age. I look over at Christen, and when she notices him, her face drops. Who the hell is this guy?
    Christen’s mother smiles at him. “Scott, dear, it is so nice to see you. How is Stanford?”
    He gives her a cocky smile, and I can already tell he thinks way too highly of himself. “It’s easy, really. People who say it’s challenging are really just idiots.”
    Her parents start to laugh that rich, fake laugh you always hear people doing at these kinds of places. “You have always had a good shoulder on your head, son, I’m glad you are doing well.”
    He turns his gaze to Christen who is still avoiding eye contact and staring at her menu. “So, Christen, when are you going to make the switch? To an Ivy League, that is.”
    Even though he makes it clear he’s talking about schools, I know from the sideways glance he shoots me he is talking about our relationship. This guy has been here a minute and I’m already about to drag him out of here by his collar. Who the hell does he think he is?
    Christen looks up and narrows her eyes at him. “I’m not making a switch to anything, Scott.”
    That’s my girl. I can see the disdain in her mother’s eyes as she looks at her, though. Her mother continues to talk to Scott and tries to keep Christen involved in the conversation, completely ignoring my existence. I can tell no matter what I do at this point, there is no way I am ever going to win her mother’s approval. This douche is the only kind of guy she will ever approve of, which is ridiculous because even an idiot could see Christen despises him. The fact I know she can’t stand him is probably the only good thing happening right now. I can’t sit here anymore and listen to him, though, so I excuse myself and take a walk to the bathroom.
    Even the bathroom in this place is probably bigger than the first floor of my house. I’m just getting ready to head back to the table when the door opens and Scott walks in. I walk past him, not wanting to start anything because I’m already on edge from how the night has been going. When we pass each other, though, he throws his shoulder into me. Even though it hurt less than getting bitten by a fly, it’s just enough to push me over the edge.
    I grab him by his shoulders and throw him backward, sending him flying into the elaborate wall of mirrors behind us. The mirror he hits cracks in multiple places. The door to the bathroom opens again, and when I look back, Christen’s dad is standing there. He surveys the scene and then gives me a look of disgust before heading back through the door. I walk back to the table, expecting everyone to be pissed off, but only to find no one has any idea what happened. Why hasn’t he said anything?
    The rest of dinner is a blur, and I can’t really concentrate on the conversation, not that anyone but Christen has tried to involve me. When we get back to the house, her parents go their separate ways without a word and the both of us head upstairs. Christen follows me to my room, and I’m still debating on whether I should mention what happened with Scott or not.
    She closes the door behind her, and before I can say anything, she crushes her mouth to mine. Her hands wrap around my neck and her fingers grip my hair. I spin her around and back her toward the bed, wanting to have her now and not giving a damn if her parents are home or not. She lets go of my neck just long enough to pull her shirt off. I lower my mouth and kiss a trail down her neck and across her chest. As much as I want to take it slow and enjoy every minute of it, I need her now. I rip the remainder of our clothes off in less than a minute, then pick her up and toss her further up the bed. I leap on