This was all getting way too weird. Murphy being an annoying dickhead was one thing but Murphy covering for him? Well that was another thing altogether and it freaked Heath out. Why the hell would Murphy do that? Once more Heath realised he was wasting way too much time thinking about that tosser, he needed to focus on what was important. Heath walked into the diner hoping Bianca would be here for her morning coffee. He was in luck, she'd just picked up her cup and was heading for the door.

"Hey Bianca," Heath greeted. Bianca looked good today, but then again, she always did.

"Hi Heath," she replied with a guarded smile, stepping past him and out the door.

"So I was thinking we could get dinner tonight," Heath said, falling into step beside Bianca, "at Angelo's or something."

"I don't know Heath..." she said, still walking.

"Hey c'mon," Heath said quickening his pace to step in front of her, forcing her to stop and look at him. "Why not? It's just dinner," Heath finished with his best attempt at sweetie eyes. It worked. He saw her resolve against him crumble.

"Ok Heath," she consented, "just dinner."

"Great," he said giving her a charming smile, "I'll pick you up at seven." Ha, take that Murphy.

xxx

Really? They were gonna do this here? Heath and Bianca had just showed up at Angelo's for dinner. Bianca was done up to the nines as usual and even Heath had managed to put on jeans and a collared shirt. The shirt was a deep plum colour and it suited him. Bloody hell, Liam was going to have to suffer through this whole sickening display, maybe Heath intended it to be that way. At least Liam was working the bar, so he wouldn't have to deal with them directly and thankfully their table was as far from the bar as it could be. Liam watched as Bianca stood by her chair waiting for Heath to pull it out for her but Heath didn't notice and simply sat in his own seat. Bianca huffed and pulled the chair out herself, while Heath, seemingly oblivious, picked up a menu. Liam couldn't help the smirk that crept onto his face at Heath's mistake, trust Heath to be the gentleman, not. It was at that moment that Heath looked up, his eyes landing on Liam. Heath scowled at Liam, which only served to widen Liam's grin. Maybe this evening wouldn't be so bad after all.

xxx

Try as he might Heath couldn't shake the feeling that Murphy was still watching him and it was really fucking annoying. Every now and then Heath glanced towards the bar, sure he'd catch Murphy looking, but apart from that first idiot grin, he hadn't. On this particular glance he saw a good-looking chick in a blue dress walk up to the bar. She flashed her pearly whites at Murphy as he approached her. Murphy smiled back and chatted to her which irritated Heath, there should be more pouring and less talking from the bartender.

"Heath what's the matter with you tonight?" Bianca whined.

"What'd ya mean?" Heath asked irritably. God, was she never satisfied? He'd brought her out for a nice meal, even bothered to get dressed up and still it wasn't good enough.

"I just mean you seem a little distracted."

Now Murphy was leaning forward, still chatting to the lady and looking far too pleased with himself. He had no right...he was working...Brax wasn't gonna be happy about this...

"Heath!" Bianca said, smacking her hand down on the table and demanding attention.

"God Bianca, is anything ever good enough for you?" Heath snapped, wasn't taking her out for dinner enough? Did he have to listen to her as well?

"Apparently not," she huffed and stormed off. Who did she think she was? Nobody walked out on him on a date. Heath glared across the room at Murphy who happened to look over at the same moment, his too blue eyes meeting Heath's. This was all Murphy's fault and Heath was gonna teach him a lesson. Heath shoved his chair back and stalked across the room, coming to a stop beside the brunette Murphy seemed to be making progress with.

"Hey Murphy," Heath interrupted, the girl giving him a disapproving look. "Sorry," Heath told her, "I just wanted to make sure that my buddy was alright." She continued to look at him, more curious than angry now. As was Murphy. Heath leaned closer to Murphy. "How's everything, you know, downstairs? The rash all cleared up has it?" Heath asked in a low voice as though he were trying to be subtle. It had the desired effect. The girl threw Murphy a disgusted look and walked off.

xxx

"What'd you do that for?" Liam asked incredulously. Seriously what was Heath's problem?

"It's your fault Bianca left," Heath stated accusingly.

"You can't be serious, that's what this is about?" Liam said, feeling the familiar anger Heath induced in him beginning to rise. Heath's accusation was irrational. Heath was just pissed off because Bianca had walked out on him and was taking his frustration out on Liam. "Just because you missed out I have to too?" Liam wasn't that upset about the girl leaving, he wasn't even sure what had compelled him to flirt with her. It was more the principle of the thing; Heath had no right to interfere in his life.

"Yep," Heath answered with a smug satisfaction. Right, two could play at that game.

"So that's how it's gonna be..." Liam said, resigning himself to this petty war.

"Looks like it," Heath agreed with feigned resignation.

"Fine then," Liam sighed, if it was gonna be like that then bring it on.