Be my Starr (Ringo Starr)

Chapter 7 part 3: honesty is the best policy

Susan rushed through the doorway and opened the door, her heart dropping as she saw Dan smiling at her standing beside Ringo. He knew he had just struck gold.

She quickly stepped out onto the front porch and shut the door, praying that her mother didn't see them standing outside.

"So." Dan grinned. "This is your friend." He was going to enjoy seeing his sister attempt to get her way out of this one.

Susan and Ringo looked at each other. Ringo looked happy to see her but smiled awkwardly. "Yes," Susan said, trying her best not to blush.

"Ringo Starr," Dan said, looking at Ringo with a grin. Ringo nodded and smiled.

"That's me." He laughed and slowly and awkwardly handed the flowers to Susan. "These are for you." Susan forced a smile and took the flowers, now uncontrollably blushing.

"Thank you." She looked at the flowers. She felt vulnerable in front of her brother. His grin was making everything worse. "They're beautiful." She smiled.

"Is there something you two would like to tell me?" Dan smiled sweetly. He had already pieced together all the obvious clues but he wanted his sister to say it for him.

"No. Get lost," Susan said sharply.

"I'll tell mum," Dan said abruptly. Susan and Dan exchanged a glance. She wasn't going to risk calling his bluff on this one.

"We're just friends." She stressed. Dan looked at her for a moment, dissecting her eyes. He turned slightly to Ringo.

Ringo looked at him and nodded. "We're just friends." He repeated.

Dan looked back at Susan and smiled devilishly. "I'm not stupid." He smiled.

"We're telling the truth," Susan stated. "We hardly know each other."

"You know him enough to get in his car." Dan pointed out. Susan remained silent. "It's okay." Dan shrugged. "I'm not bothered anyway."

"Good."

"Do you mind if I talk to your taxi driver for a second?" He asked.

Susan looked at Ringo and in return, he sent her a reassuring half-smile. "Ok," Susan said.

"You can get in the car if you want." Ringo offered. "It's unlocked." Susan nodded and started walking towards the car. As she passed her brother, she gave him a sharp look that he had seen many times.

Dan watched her get in the car and jerked his head towards Ringo.

"Ringo." He smiled. "I've only seen you in black and white."

"I hope I look better in colour." He joked. Dan laughed with him for a moment, his face suddenly turning very serious making Ringo a little nervous. He was more than eager to get along with Susan's brother.

"I hope you know what you're dealing with," Dan said in a darker tone and leaned in closer towards Ringo. "My sister is a sweet soul you see. She isn't aware of the evil that people can hide inside them." Dan smiled. "Do you get what I mean?"

Ringo nodded. "Yes." He said simply. Dan was almost as interesting to Ringo as Susan was. He was a cheeky, funny guy on one side but had this serious, almost sinister side on the other.

"I just want us to be clear you know," Dan said in a cheery tone. "You seem like a nice lad but even nice lads have a darkness about them." Dan was making it obvious what he meant. He wanted to make sure that he and Ringo were on the same page about everything.

"I understand." Ringo acknowledged. He knew what Dan was saying and in a way, he was happy that Dan was having this conversation with him. He was ready to prove to him how serious he was about getting to know Susan.

"You're a star. Literally!" Dan laughed. "All the girls are in love with you. You can have any girl you want." He said with a dark smile.

"I'm not that type of person," Ringo responded. He also felt it was his duty to show Dan his true self and not leave any stone unturned.

"I just care about her that's all." Dan shrugged. "She's my sister after all."

"I care about her too." The drummer agreed.

"I'm happy we feel the same way." Dan smiled, patting him on the back. "I like you. You're cool."

"I like you too." Ringo smiled. "You should come for a drink with me and the lads some time."

"Really?" Dan didn't sound so sure. "I'm not a fanboy." He stated with a laugh.

"No, of course not. I just think you're a funny guy. And it'd be good to have someone on my side for once." He said.

"I see," Dan smirked. "Ok." He nodded after a moment. "You can get my number from Susan if you ever remember me." He said with a smirk.

"Oh, I'll remember you," Ringo assured.

"It's been a pleasure meeting you," Dan said, walking to the front door. He turned and looked at Ringo. "I can tell she likes you." He said cheekily.

Ringo smiled and waved him off as he walked into the house. He took a quick breath and walked back to the car where Susan waited impatiently.