Alex

"I told you she was hot didn't I?" Ryder asked for the tenth time, nudging me lightly in the ribs.

"Yes!" I snapped and Ryder looked a little hurt.

"What's the problem bro?" he asked, cocking his head to the side.

"There is no problem." I said sighing. "I'm just fed up of you saying: 'I told you she was hot didn't I?"

"Sorry man, I just wanted to prove a point you know?"

"Yeah well point proven." I said as we headed in to the parking lot.

"Do you think she'd go for me?" Ryder asked and I bit my lip. The thought of Becky and Zack together made my stomach lurch.

I like Ryder and if he managed to find a decent girlfriend I'd be happy for him.

But Becky?

That one would hurt. A lot.

"Why you asking me?" I asked, frowning at him. "I'm just as confused about girls as you are, I swear they speak in code." I said chuckling.

"You guys seemed close."

"We only met this morning, besides she's related to Eve like she'd tell me her deepest and darkest secrets!"

"Yeaaaah, but did she mention me at all?"

"Hmm." I said, pretending to think hard as we crossed the parking lot. "Yeah she did actually."

"Aaaaaannnnd?" he asked, he was almost shaking with excitement.

"She said." I said, smiling as I watched Ryder's face fall as he grew impatient.

"Yes?"

"She said you were arrogant rude, and oh don't forget annoying!"

"Ha, ha very funny Riley!" Ryder said as we neared my rental car. "But seriously, do you think she'd go for me? Do you reckon I could get her number or something?" he asked.

I grinned. "Why don't you ask her yourself?" I said, struggling to hold back my laughter.

"How can I do that she's probably-" he trailed off as he caught sight of the three women surrounding the car next to mine. "No way!" he cried.

"Go on, do you want that date or not?"

"Yeah but in front of her friends?"

"Why not? You'll never know till you try!"

"But that's embarrassing!"

"What's embarrassing?" Eve asked turning towards us.

"Damnit!" Ryder muttered.

"Go on Zack, answer the woman, this one tends to get cranky."

"Watch it Riley!" Eve said glaring at me.

"So what's the problem Ryder? Is it embarrassing for you to be turned down by three women all at the same time?" she asked and Becky and Barbie tried to hold back their laughter.

"No!" Ryder said quickly, glancing at me for help.

"You asked for it, this is your problem!" I said, and out of the corner of my eye I saw Becky turn to frown at me.

"Aww come on man! You're meant to be one of my main Broskis, help me out!"

"You're a big boy now Zack, you've gotta fight your own battles without the aid of your Broskis."

Zack glanced at me, then at Eve and finally at Becky. He turned to me again, his eyes questioning. 'Go for it!' I mouthed and he nodded.

"Hey um Becky, can I ask you something?" he asked, going bright red and looking at the floor.

"Sure," she said, turning to frown at me and mouth: 'What are you up to?' I grinned at her and she sighed.

"Um maybe we should talk over there," he said pointing to the other side of the car park. "It's kinda personal."

"Oh ok." She said and he took off. After a quick glance at me Becky followed after him.

"Ok Riley, what are you up to?" Eve asked, folding her arms.

"Nothing!" I said, holding my hands up in surrender. "I'm just helping a friend that's all!"

"Yeah right!" Barbie said, pointing at me. "You're up to something, I can see it!"

"I'm not!"

"Prove it!"

"He's asking for her number and possibly a date." I said, tearing my eyes away from Eve's intense gaze.

"What?" she asked, frowning at me.

She grabbed my arm and pulled me to one side.

"I thought you like her?" she whispered and I nodded.

"I do."

"Then why-"

"He really likes her, he's been going on about her all day, and besides like she'd go for me! He has a better shot than I do!" I said, suddenly aware of Barbie trying to listen in.

"You don't know that." Eve said. "You're a nice guy Alex, you'd be in with a shot, trust me."

"How do I know you're not messing with me?"

"Because-" Eve started but a red faced Becky came over to us, stopping the conversation.

"Did you put him up to that? Because it really isn't funny!" she growled, glaring at me.

Eve grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "Relax," she said, but Becky shook her off.

"Well?" she demanded and I smiled.

"What did he say?" I asked and watched as her expression grew angrier.

"You know what he said!"

"Ok then, how did he say it?"

"So you're admitting to setting it up?"

"No, I'm asking you how he acted. That doesn't mean I'm admitting to your accusation, I'm merely trying to prove my innocence."

"Well he didn't look at me, and he was stuttering and stumbling over his words…" she said, thinking back to her conversation with him.

"Stuttering?" Barbie asked, finally coming into our little huddle. "Zack Ryder stuttered?" she frowned at Becky.

"Yeah," she said glancing at all three of us. "Why?"

"Honey, Zack Ryder never stutters, unless he's around someone threatening."

"Like Sheamus!" Barbie added and I grinned as I watched the realisation hit.

"Oh," she said, turning to me.

"I believe you owe me an apology." I said.

"Yeah, like that's going to happen." She said, turning and running back over to a confused looking Zack Ryder.

"So," Barbie said. "How's it feel losing the girl you like to Ryder?" she asked and I turned to her. I frowned.

"Um what?" I asked.

"I'm not stupid," she said and I opened my mouth to say something.

"Ok!" she said cutting me off. "I may have my moments but I am not completely stupid!"

"You sure?" I asked and I got a slap, from both Eve and Barbie.

"Answer my question Riley!" she said and I sighed.

"Zack's my friend, I think. Besides I've only just met her, it's not like I'm head over heels in love with her. I'm sure I'll get over it if anything does happen."

Barbie smiled, clearly happy about getting the information out of me.

Becky came back over with a smile on her face.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Eve asked, as Becky moved to get into the car.

"What?" she asked frowning at her sister and Eve nodded at me.

"Oh c'mon you have to admit you thought he was up to something to!" she said.

"Yeah, but we were both wrong, I've apologized, now it's your turn."

"It's only fair." Barbie said, and Becky sighed.

"Sorry for accusing you Alex, but it did seem like something you'd set up!"

I smiled. "Apology accepted." I said nodding at her. "Now if you ladies don't mind," I opened the trunk and lifted my suitcase into it. "My hotel bed is calling, better not keep it waiting."