"Hey," Rhonda snapped as Paulette adjusted the interior mirror in her car so she could see to reapply her lipstick.

"What?" Paulette looked at her innocently. "You've parked up, haven't you? Keep your hair on, I'll put the mirror back where it was."

Rhonda scowled. "That's not the point. I'm the driver, it's my car, no one else should mess about with it."

"Whoa, you're sounding a bit controlling there."

"So what?"

Paulette exchanged a look with Sharon as they got out of the car. "This is gonna be a fun night."

"I guess someone forgot to take her meds," Sharon quipped and Rhonda's scowl deepened. She slammed the door and almost stomped towards Davey's house. "As I was saying..."

Paulette giggled. "Maybe we should go easy on her, I think she's upset with Dimucci." And that was probably an understatement, it was apparent he was losing interest in her. I might not be the smartest girl around but when it comes to matters of the heart, I know my stuff. If only Johnny would realise...She shook her head, she had to stop obsessing with him. Her time would come eventually.

"Hi, what took you so long?" Johnny asked as Davey showed them in. "Have you got the beer?"

"It's in my car," Rhonda said with a weary sigh. "Can someone give me a hand? I can't carry it all by myself." She glanced at Louis but he was concentrating on the cards he was holding, and the rest of the T birds didn't appear to have heard her speak.

"I'll help," Sharon said raising her voice an octave. "Since chivalry is dead around here."

Louis's eyes widened. "You only had to ask." He threw his cards down. "I'm out, anyway." He got to his feet and followed the girls out of the room.

"Did you see that?" Paulette whispered to Stephanie. "Someone's got a crush."

"You could be right," Steph said surprising her. "Hopefully the feeling isn't mutual."

"I think it might be. The other day-"

"Hey, what are you two gossiping about?" Goose said startling them. "Aren't you gonna join in the game." Johnny grimaced, silently mouthing at him to shut up.

"I might join you in the next round," Steph said, cutting her eyes at Johnny. "If you can handle it."

"I can handle it," Goose snickered. "What about you, Paulette?"

"Oh, I don't really play," she said fluffing her hair up. "I think poker is more of a boys' game." She was rewarded by Johnny giving her an approving smile. Yes, we are so right for each other! We're totally on the same wavelength.

"I could teach you," Stephanie suddenly said. "It's not hard, even these bozos can play."

"I prefer to spectate," she said, and Steph rolled her eyes. She didn't care though, it was Johnny she was trying to win over. The front door slammed and Rhonda, Sharon and Louis made their way to the kitchen with the food and drinks.

"Could one of you chicks get me a beer?" Johnny asked as he stretched out in his chair.

Steph gawped at him. "Seriously?"

"Well, what else are you good for?"

"Can you save the wisecracks for one night, please? It's not funny and no one is laughing."

Johnny cut her a look obviously annoyed and Goose cleared his throat, muttering something unintelligible under his breath.

"I'll go get them," Paulette said as an awkward silence filled the room. She smiled brightly. "So beers all round and popcorn?"

"Yeah, bring some popcorn," Davey said a bit too enthusiastically.

Johnny got to his feet. "I'll give you a hand. You can't carry all of that by yourself."

She couldn't help but beam at him. It was like her mother had always said: you get more with honey than with vinegar.

~~~

Rhonda took a sip of her drink and tried to stifle a yawn but it was boring watching the guys and Stephanie play. She'd been half tempted to join them, however, the thought of the teasing she'd get if she played badly, and the animosity from Johnny if she played well, had put her off. It was a no-win situation.

"I'm done with this," Johnny said throwing his cards down and ending the game.

"Shit hand babe," Steph said mockingly.

"You chicks keep ruining the game." He glanced towards Paulette and Sharon who looked back innocently, pretending that their running commentary hadn't been distracting. "Let's play another game," he said a sly look on his face. "One you girls can join in with."

Rhonda's heart sank when Johnny grabbed an empty beer bottle, and she shot a desperate look at Steph. Not spin the bottle, please.

"Can't we play something else, Johnny?" Stephanie asked. "Something that's not an exercise in humiliation?"

"Don't be so melodramatic," Paulette said sitting down next to Johnny in the circle that was already forming. "It's just a bit of fun."

Stephanie gave Rhonda an apologetic look and she reluctantly sat down next to Sharon. She knew why Paulette was so eager to play, she wouldn't throw away the chance to kiss Johnny, but she was surprised Steph would go along with it. Talk about laidback. Once they were all gathered around Johnny started the game off, spinning the bottle with a bit too much enthusiasm. They all guffawed when it landed on Goose.

"Ahem, well I don't think that was supposed to happen," he said with a laugh.

"Go for it Johnny," Stephanie jeered and Rhonda could see by his tight-lipped smile that he was getting irritated.

"I've forfeited my turn," he said reminding Steph of the rules. "I'm afraid you ladies have missed out."

Rhonda stifled a smile, no way was Johnny gonna kiss a guy even as a joke! He passed the bottle to Goose while Steph continued to tease him. She was so engrossed in their bickering that it took her a moment to realise that the bottle was pointing at her, partly helped by Sharon reaching over to grab a handful of chips at the crucial moment. She gulped and looked at Louis hoping he was going to object, but he gestured for her to go to Goose. She stood up quickly thinking if she appeared eager to participate the whole thing would be less embarrassing. At least it would get it over with. Goose grabbed her a bit too enthusiastically and smacked his lips to hers.

"Phew, you're hot stuff, Ritter," he joked, letting her go. She breathed a sigh of relief that he hadn't dragged out the ordeal but she did think that Louis could look a bit peeved that she'd kissed someone else.

Goose passed the bottle to Paulette and with great concentration, she spun it. When it landed on Johnny she gasped as if that wasn't the result she was praying for, and she sat up straighter almost licking her lips in anticipation. Johnny briefly glanced at Stephanie before reaching for the back of Paulette's neck and pulling her closer. Everyone held their breath as their lips met and Rhonda bet he was putting his best moves on her. When he let Paulette go she was breathless and Stephanie was stony-faced, clearly unimpressed. She took a large swig of beer, trying not to let on that she was rattled.

"I think it's my turn," Davey said taking the bottle from Paulette but when he spun it landed on Johnny again.

"What is it with everyone wanting a piece of me?" he asked with a mock groan.

Rhonda rolled her eyes at Sharon, is he for real? Davey looked apologetic and passed the bottle to Stephanie who smirked. Payback time, Rhonda thought to herself. Steph spun the bottle and it landed on Goose again who looked nervously at Johnny. He shrugged as if not caring and Goose got to his feet, Stephanie joining him. She glanced smugly at Johnny before leaning forward to kiss Goose. However, Goose knew not to cross the line and his lips barely touched hers before he was pulling away again. Now it was Johnny who looked smug as he straightened his collar and ran his hand through his hair.

"Here," Steph said giving Louis the bottle, her annoyance clear. Rhonda felt her stomach knot as he spun the bottle - it's just a game, it's just a game - and it landed squarely between her and Sharon. There was a definite tension in the air.

"I think it's closer to Rhonda," Sharon said quickly inching away.

"You just moved," Goose said.

"I did not."

Rhonda looked towards Louis. A normal boyfriend would be pulling her to her feet before anyone could object but he was sat with his head down smirking. Sharon and Goose continued arguing until Johnny shut them up.

"I'll make the final decision." He looked at both girls and Rhonda did not like the expression on his face, he was out to cause trouble. "Sharon, you win. The bottle was in front of you when it stopped spinning." Rhonda looked at Steph to intervene but she shrugged helplessly.

Louis quickly stood up and reached for Sharon's hand pulling her to her feet. Rhonda felt bile rising in her throat - did he have to take her hand? - and told herself not to look but she couldn't help it. Louis placed his hand on the small of Sharon's back and pulled her against him. Sharon looked up at him, seemingly nervous, her lips slightly parted. Don't look, don't look. Rhonda watched as Louis's lips met Sharon's, and his arms wrapped around her. She could see Goose watching almost bogeyed. As Louis deepened the kiss Sharon's arm came up and Rhonda thought she was going to push him away but instead she put her hand around his neck.

"Phew," Goose whistled under his breath and Paulette sat open-mouthed. Rhonda tried to tell herself they were just acting cos it was only a game but she felt a sob rising in her throat. Unable to stand it a moment longer, and got to her feet and fled the room.

~~~

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