HILLS RECAP: Lauren Goes on Rumor Patrol

Jen Bunney blames Brody for the sex tape scandal.

The Hills girls returned this week to bring the season's soap-operatic tensions to a heated head.

The creator of this week's drama? None other than legendary troublemaker Jen Bunney.

The reality series' favorite fair-weather friend returned with a vengeance to blame Brody Jenner for spreading those pesky LC sex-tape rumors. If Jenner's alleged involvement sounds fishy to you, it's probably because it is. After all, Bunney's tip comes courtesy of Heidi Montag, who seems to be doing everything possible to protect her man Spencer Pratt.

Traveling as all juicy gossip does these days - via text message - Bunney informs LC that they "need to talk" and they agree to meet for lunch after being at odds for a handful of months. Idle chatter comprises the initial few seconds of the ladies' lunch, until Bunney lays it on Lauren: "So...Heidi says Brody spread those rumors."

However, wanting to play nice, Bunney quickly offers a consolation, saying that she wanted to call her when the rumor mill reached fever pitch, but it "just wasn't the right time."

Slightly suspicious of her flirty friend Brody, Lauren confronts the Prince of Malibu at a cozy dinner for two. Lauren admits that while she's "obviously not mad at Jen," she's angry that Brody's name could even be brought up in a situation like this.

Brody at first skirts the issue, reluctant to immediately admit he knows Speidi are to blame. But, just as we're starting to have a sinking feeling Brody might be the source of the rumors, all is resolved when the hottie looks Lauren in the eyes and insists that he knows "100% for a fact that they did it."

BY ALLISON CORNEAU