A/N: Yes, I really, really suck at updating... I'm sorry! I kinda lost inspiration for this chapter, so it's taken me well over a month to write it. I can't say I'm happy with it now, definitely not with the length of it, but I couldn't keep you all waiting any longer. Anyway, here we go. Enjoy, and please don't forget to leave feedback!

Chapter 4

I stood at the full length mirror in our hotel room, growling in frustration at the one strand of my hair that wouldn't curl as I wanted it to. I tried twice more, but with a sigh I realised it wasn't going to go as planned. Instead I opted to pin back a few strands, pursing my lips at my reflection, but shrugging as I realised it was the best I was going to get.

A movement from behind me caught my eye, and I watched on as Zack finished fiddling with the collar of his white shirt before he turned to look my way. Our gaze met for a few seconds, and my belly nervously squeezed as he began to walk towards me. After his match, he'd come to find me in the arena canteen, but he had still been grumpy. We'd barely spoken two words to each other the entire way back to the hotel, and once we were back in our room, we'd both distracted each other with getting ready for the night ahead.

I held in my breath as he stopped directly behind me, expecting the worst, but a gasp of pleasant surprise escaped my lips when he pressed his chest against my back and wrapped his arms around my waist.

"You look beautiful," He murmured, his chin resting on my shoulder as we stared at each other through the floor length mirror.

"Thanks," I added warily, but pulled a face all the same. I was only dressed in a pair of black jeans, a silver vest top and matching heels... it really wasn't anything special, but I'd never been one to enjoy dressing up. "You don't look so bad yourself," I smiled ever so slightly as I took in his dark wash jeans that clung to him perfectly, and the only half buttoned shirt that showed his perfect chest. Even when I was annoyed with him, I had to admit that he was flawless.

Zack chuckled lightly, his lips pressing against the side of my neck as he pulled me even closer to him. Despite everything, I couldn't help but lean back, my hands wrapping over his own as my eyes automatically closed.

"I'm so sorry for how I acted earlier, Rory," He shook his head, his eyes finding mine once more. "I was a complete dick."

"You kind of were a dick..." I added, sending him half a smirk to say that he was really already forgiven, "But it's okay, really."

"No, it isn't," He was far too serious as he span me around in his arms so that we were face to face. He frowned as he reached up to run his fingers along the side of my cheek, "I've finally got a chance to show everyone what I can really do, and I very nearly blew it by being late. But instead of being mad with myself, I took it out on you," He looked so annoyed with himself as he shook his head back and forth, and a sigh left my own lips as I took a step even closer to him, my hands running up and down his arms comfortingly.

"Oh Zack," I rolled my eyes his way, trailing my hands higher until I wrapped them around his neck, "You don't need to be sorry."

Zack stared my way grumpily for a few moments longer, but with another roll of my eyes he finally broke, and a smile appeared on his lips. I grinned back, happily showering in my triumph as I leaned over and placed a soft kiss on his mouth. His arms automatically found my waist, pulling me closer to him as he deepened the kiss.

A groan left my lips as our bodies crushed together, and the pair of us began to grow desperate as he pushed me backwards, my back hitting the wall with a low thud as my hands pulled at his perfectly spiked hair, wanting him as close to me as was possible.

I felt Zack's hand slowly lifting up the back of my top, his fingers sending shivers down my spine as he ran them along my back. My own hands dropped down once again, this time finding the few buttons on his shirt that were fastened... but before I could part them, a knock on the door came crashing down on our own little world.

A groan of annoyance left my lips as I leaned forward, resting my head against Zack's chest as I hoped the people would go away... but the sound of Dolph's voice shouting that he knew we were inside made me realise I wasn't that lucky. A low chuckle left Zack's lips as he pushed against my shoulders until I was upright, half a smile on his lips as he looked my way.

"I thought they were supposed to be meeting us downstairs?" I grumbled, narrowing my eyes towards the door, causing Zack to laugh once again.

"That's Dolph for you. I'm pretty sure it's his life's mission to ruin mine. But don't worry, Rory. We'll continue this later," He sent me a quick wink, leaning down to give me one last chaste kiss before he pulled away.

A small sigh escaped me as I watched him go, but I couldn't stay annoyed for long. A smile automatically grew across my face as I picked up my clutch and followed him towards the door. I was just happy that everything seemed to be okay again. Tonight was going to be much better now that Zack and I were back on perfect terms.

Two hours later, myself, Zack and Dolph sat huddled together in a nearby club. The music was so loud that I could feel the constant pounding in my body as if it were my own heartbeat... but I wasn't going to complain. I kinda liked this place. Plus, it gave me the chance to listen to all of the stories that Dolph had about my boyfriend. I sat snickering to myself as they spoke about an up and coming show, remembering the last tale he'd told me about a time when their car had broken down and they'd had to bunk in a one bed motel room for the night. That was definitely my favourite so far.

"Everything okay, beautiful?"

I looked up from my drink, my eyes connecting with Zack's. He looked a little concerned as he reached over to rest his hand on my knee, most likely because I'd been pretty quiet for the past 10 minutes. But with a nod and a smile, I assured him that I was fine. I was just enjoying spending time with my boyfriend and his friends on the road.

"I'm fine, Zack," I leaned over, kissing his cheek lightly. I nuzzled into his side gently, joining in with the conversation that the two were having so as not to worry Zack... but I couldn't help but frown at the fact that Dolph seemed to be distracted by something other than ourselves. I turned to Zack, wondering if he had noticed, but he seemed oblivious. With a raised eyebrow, I watched on as the blonde man shifted his gaze for perhaps the tenth time in the last five minutes.

My eyes followed, and they widened ever so slightly as I realised what it was that he'd been watching. A few of the Divas were dancing together in the middle of the club, men surrounding them in flocks, but it was obvious that the one Dolph was staring at was the girl in the middle. Eve was laughing lightly as she danced around in a circle with AJ, looking as if she had no care in the world.

I tuned back into the conversation between Zack and Dolph, sighing to myself as I realised what this probably meant. I suddenly felt sorry for the man sat across from us. I didn't know him well; definitely not enough yet to mention Eve to him... but it was obvious that he was hiding behind a front when it came to his ex girlfriend.

"So, Rory, I forgot to mention earlier... Vince came up to me at the arena tonight and asked if I could fill in for Kofi at a signing tomorrow. He's had to head home for a family emergency or something, but I didn't want to say yes unless you were okay with it. I don't want to leave you by yourself," Zack spoke up, and I turned towards him, a pout appearing on my lips as I realised what he was saying.

I didn't want to complain, I knew that he needed to say yes to this. How could he possibly not, when it was Vince who had asked? But I also wasn't looking forward to spending time alone either. Especially in a town that I didn't know, with people I'd never even met.

"Umm, sure. You should do it, Zack. You can't say no," I tried to send a convincing smile his way, but from the way he stared back, I knew I hadn't done a very good job.

"That wasn't very believable, Ror," He sighed, running a hand through his spikes. I winced, already knowing that he was thinking of saying no, but how could I tell him otherwise when he could read me like a book?

"Hey... I'll take care of her, if you want? I don't have anything planned tomorrow," Dolph's voice cut through our conversation, and we both turned his way with expectant eyes, "That is, of course, if Rory is okay with spending the day with me," He flashed me one of his already famous grins, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes playfully his way.

"That's fine with me," I shrugged, before I turned back to Zack with a much happier smile than before. The truth was, I was more than happy to spend the day with Dolph. Perhaps we hadn't known each other long, but he was one of the few people that I'd liked from the moment we'd met. And besides, maybe he could tell me more of those interesting Zack stories.

"Are you sure?" He asked, and when I nodded once more, a small smile appeared on his lips as he leaned over to kiss me. "Thank you, beautiful. Love you."

"Love you too," I smirked back, watching on as he began to ring Vince to give him his answer, feeling happier than I had done in a long, long time.