Ryan's POV

'You asked Claudia to marry you?'

What the fudge was going on! I didn't ask Claudia anything!

'You are engaged to Claudia Grey! It was all over the news!' Aria screamed into my ear and I pressed end and put the phone back down on the bench.

Max was still standing in front of me, a tear had now escaped and was running down his cheek.

'Max..' I stepped towards him and he stepped back, the betrayal clear on his face.

He honestly thought that I would ask Claudia to marry me, even though we were coming out in a few weeks? Did he think I was planning on leaving him for Claudia? I would rather die than betray him like that.

He shook his head and took another step back as I took another forward.

'Tell me it isn't true Ryan' the desperation was clear in his broken voice and it made me want to wrap him in a hug and whisper comforting words in his ears, but it was clear he needed it in words before actions.

'It's not true! I swear to you! I would never do that!' I really hoped that the truth could be heard in my voice.

Max looked confused, 'but the news...they said..'

'Lies. All lies,' I told him strongly, needing him to understand.

He still looked confused and I stepped forward, but he didn't take a step back. I slowly reached for his hand, and took it in my own, squeezing it lightly as I spoke.

'Please believe me Max, I am not leaving you for Claudia, ever. I would never ask her to marry me, this is just a big mistake, a big misunderstanding, please.'

He let out a breath and within a moment I was pulled into his chest, strong arms wrapped around me tightly.

Thank-god he believed me. I have no idea where this engagement misunderstanding came from, but I was going to find out, then kill the person responsible. How could Robert, my manager and publicist, let this happen? He is very close to being fired.

My heart still hurt from the look on Max's face, that sort of hurt and pain, it was heart-wrenching.

I tried to forget that haunting look and buried my face into Max's chest while he held me.

'I'm sorry, I shouldn't have believed it. I know, I know you wouldn't have done that' He murmured into my neck.

'It's ok, I will fix this, I promise, we are still going public next week'

'You must hate me for believing all that crap, I, I should have-'

'No, it's alright,' I stopped him from burying himself in guilt. I saw that he was about to speak again so I cupped his cheek with my hand and looked him in the eyes, trying to let him know that I didn't feel any betrayal over what he thought, 'The press, they are just liars. Just promise me that next time you will ask me first'

He nodded, 'Promise.'

I stroked his cheek with my thumb fondly a few more times before letting my hand drop to his side and wrapping it around his own hand.

The man then pressed a light kiss to my forehead and pulled away, 'Who was on the phone?'

I laughed nervously, 'Aria saw the news and I am afraid that she might cut my balls off.'

He laughed loudly, letting his hand drop from mine, 'Oh gosh, don't worry, I'll protect you from the big bad woman,' he cooed, tapping my nose with his finger.

'Don't laugh! She is going to kill me!' I slapped his hand away.

'Don't worry, I will call her,' he went to walk over to the bench where I had dropped the phone, but I caught him by the hand and pulled him back, pressing my lips to his.

He smiled into the kiss and cradled the back of my head with his hand.

'STEP BACK,' suddenly a voice screamed, and Max was shoved away from me.

I saw a flash of brunette hair and a white top before I was slapped in the face.

Hard.

Pain shot through my cheek, my head whipped to the side and I saw max run out in front of me in the corner of my eye as I stumbled backwards.

'What the hell Aria!?' I heard Max scream at the brunette, quickly coming over to me, his hand cupping my cheek, pain radiating through my face from the hit. Max's fingers gently rubbed over the sore spot and I winced at the extra pain it caused. Max must have seen, as his fingers left my face, but his eyes were still studying me intently.

I didn't blame her for slapping me, she thought that I was leaving Max, and I would have deserved it if I was, but I most defiantly was not.

But Max obviously didn't feel the same way. Once he was sure that I was ok, he spun around in an instant his body shielding mine from the vicious claws of his best friend, like a mother bear protecting its cub.

I tried to get around him, to explain it all to Aria, but he just stepped over and blocked me further.

'Get out of my way Max!' She screamed, I couldn't see her face, only the back of Max's white t-shirt, but I assumed that she looked infuriated.

'Leave him alone Aria, he didn't do anything!' He defended me and I tried to get around him again, only to be blocked. I just had to tell this girl that I didn't do it and it would be ok, but stupid Max was too focused on protecting me.

'He lied! He's not going to go public with you! He proposed to Claudia! He's obviously actually sleeping with her and misleading you!'

This was ridiculous, 'That's a lie!' I yelled out, but the girl didn't believe me.

'The news said that you were trying to keep it a secret until you told your family, but it was leaked! But that's the real lie, isn't it? You were just trying to keep it from Max!'

'They aren't engaged, it was a lie, Ryan told me everything!' Max told her finally, and I was relieved for her to know the truth, but only for half a second, until her next words were spoken harshly.

'He's lying to you Max!' She told him and I heard him huff, this was frustrating, 'Face me like a man Ryan!' she yelled out to me and so I yelled back.

'Come on Aria, I am telling the truth'

'Do you believe this Max? Please tell me you don't!'

This was getting way out of hand, so I took a step to my left and watched Max step left as well, as he stepped I jumped right, getting past him and suddenly I was faced with a very angry Aria, I quickly grabbed her hands, to prevent any further slapping, and held them. I spoke to her pouring every bit of truth I could into my voice and my eyes.

'Claudia must have told the press that or someone else, but I promise you, I promise on my life, that I am not sleeping with Claudia, I do not love Claudia, I am not lying to Max and most importantly I would NEVER propose to her and deceive you and Max. Please Aria, listen to me'

Her expression changed from anger and hostility to understanding then to guilt.

'Oh Ryan, I' she started, but I could tell that she didn't know how to go on. She had made a big mistake and I understood her guilt in misreading the situation.

'It's ok, I don't blame you, you were being a good friend to Max.'

'I'm so sorry,' She said, true guilt in her expression, and I let go of her hands, pretty sure that she wasn't going to slap me anytime soon.

'Yeah you better be sorry!' Max yelled from behind me, 'You just hit him in the face!'

Oh Max, calm your farm please, we don't need any more slapping tonight. This has become some sort of emotional slap fest.

'Sorry about that' she said and I laughed.

'No worries, I get why you did it.'

She went to touch my face and I heard a growl from behind me.

Maybe Maxxie bought me a puppy dog! What a good boyfriend! He deserves a 'good boy' and a head pat! Or, more likely, but the less fun explanation, he was still angry with his best friend.

Aria had stepped back at the growl and Max moved to beside me, putting an arm around me protectively.

'Max, did you buy me a dog? Or are you seriously growling at your best friend?'

He ignored my question and looked towards Aria, 'How could this happen without his knowledge? Can you be Ryan's manager and publicist from now on?'

Well, at least he wasn't mad at her, but ignoring me was pretty rude. Rude Max.

'If he will have me?' she smiled and I thought about that, it seemed like a good idea, but I need to get this whole situation sorted first.

I looked at them both as I spoke, 'Just let me talk to Robert and Claudia first and then we can talk ok?'

'That's probably a good idea' Max agreed and Aria nodded.

'What are you going to do?' Aria asked me.

'I have a lunch scheduled with Claudia tomorrow and I will confirm with her that this is some media created rumour then I will go to Roberts's office and ask him how all this happened.'

'That is a good plan. I'd like to have a little talk with Robert myself, because he seems to need some lessons on actually doing his job' I figured that that little talk would not be the educational lesson that Aria was promising, more like a punch to the face and some threats to his physical wellbeing.

'That sounds like a good plan too, maybe I should join you, I think I have some 'educational' tools around here somewhere' Max agreed. Of course Max would agree to that.

'I don't think that's necessary, but the gesture is thoughtful' I patted Max's arm and laughed.

'Well I think that I have done enough grievous bodily harm for one day, so I am going to go home,' Aria told us, 'Call me tomorrow night ok? Tell me how the lunch goes' She spoke to me and I nodded.

She came over and I felt Max's arm tighten around me, as if he still saw her as a threat. He didn't relax until she kissed my cheek and stepped back, 'I am glad that you're not a lying bastard'

'Why thank-you, I'm glad I still have my balls,' I bowed to her and Max laughed behind me.

She leant over and kissed his as well, whispering in his ear, 'Growl at me again and I will chop YOUR balls off'

'Bye guys,' she laughed and skipped out of the room, happily as anything.

'She's scary,' Max said once she was gone.

'Don't worry, I'll protect you! I'll be your white knight! Which is quite fitting since I am so pale,' I said, looking down at my horribly pale skin tone.

He laughed, 'I don't think that's what people mean when they say white knight.'

'Shut up and kiss me' I commanded and like a good boy, he listened. Leaning down to press his soft lips to mine.