Rick is such a drama queen!
I agree that Rick talks out of both sides of his mouth. After all his antics and childish behavior the last few weeks (or is this the behavior of an alcoholic?) now he needs to save face by pretending he has this new girlfriend. Makes him seem like "the man" ya know! lol But really folks, he just wants to make Melissa jealous in one last pathetic attempt to get her back! Notice that when Shonna confides in him she fears the same thing that suddenly Rick doesn't "need" the new girl to go with him to see his daughter! Don't believe she was P O'd either, as Rick claims.
He sure talked up the new girl and made sure he brought her in to parade around, she looked a little uncomfortable with the situation if you ask me. But, did you notice that she gave Shonna a big hug! Something isn't being revealed here, I think Rick and her already knew each other, not buying the met at Starbuck's thing at all. Especially Rick's story that she had her eye on him for two years! LOL
Love Chuck! He is just so damn funny and likeable. He has become a lot more complex than he was first made out to be!