Be my Starr (Ringo Starr)

Chapter 15 part 1: Celebratory drinks

After the show, they all went for a celebratory drink back at the hotel where the lads were staying at. 5 star of course with the most beautiful lobby Susan had ever seen. They were sitting in a nice area just by the bar. Ringo had one arm around Susan's shoulder making her feel safe and secure. Barbara was having the time of her life once she was made aware of the free drinks. She certainly wasn't going to miss out.

The lads were telling jokes and goofing around making everyone laugh and making complete idiots of themselves. John was getting goofier with every shot he swallowed down.

Susan was careful when it came to shots but tonight she thought she'd let loose a bit. It was going to be a good night after all. Susan took a shot and quickly swallowed, grimacing at the burning sensation on her throat. She realised this was going to be harder than she thought.

"That's my girl." Ringo squeezed her on the shoulder.

"That's nothin. Try havin 5 more." John slurred and on that note, took another shot.

"Ignore him," Ringo mumbled.

"Only 5?" Barbara chirped in. "Try 15." She laughed drunkenly at John.

"You ain't had 15, you liar." John pointed rudely at Barbara.

"I fuckin have." Barbara fought back.

"They're like lost siblings." Susan joked.

"Lost twins more like," George mumbled and took a drag of his ciggie.

"Right then, you're on." John challenged and Barbara quickly downed another shot, accepting his challenge.

"Barbara be careful," Susan warned, feeling worried for her friend. Barbara turned to Susan.

"Oh, Barbara this Barbara that. Barbara don't go there. Oh, Barbara don't say that." The lads all laughed except Susan. Ringo looked down at her, the pain evident in her eyes. "Give me a break." Barbara sighed. Drunk Barbara was the best and the worst.

"Are you ok?" Ringo whispered, feeling sorry for her.

"I'm fine." Susan looked at Ringo and smiled.

"Honestly?" Ringo raised his eyebrow.

"Honestly," Susan replied.

"Of course she's fine. She's got lover boy." Barbara gestured to Ringo.

"Lover boy?"

"Ignore her." Susan sighed.

"That's right. Ignore me. I'll only cause more trouble." Barbara looked down smirking.

"Why aren't you drinkin?" Paul asked George.

"I'm not thirsty." Paul was gobsmacked.

"Are you alright mate?"

"I'm fine." George sighed.

A few minutes later and Susan was feeling a little out of place. Like she didn't fit in. Barbara and John were battling to see who could tolerate the most with Susan believing that Barbara would win considering she was a grandmaster when it came to drinking.

Ringo had a few drinks and was quite drunk but Susan wasn't bothered. She didn't own him after all and he could do as he pleased. George had gone to his hotel room early. He said he was tired. Susan thought it was maybe because of Barbara. Paul was chatting some girls up at the bar and carried on for the rest of the night.

Susan was looking out into the distance, completely dissociated. Ringo turned and caught her staring off and gently squeezed her shoulder.

"You ok Luv?" He asked softly. Susan snapped out of it and looked at him, her eyes were still adjusting.

"Yeah..." The word drifted from her mouth.

"Come on, we can have our fun upstairs." He grinned.

"Don't you want to stay here?" Susan was evidently nervous.

"Not if you don't."

"I don't mind. I'm fine I promise." Susan forced a smile.

"That's not entirely true is it Luv?" Ringo gave her a warm smile and took her hand in his. "I know you more than you think." He winked.

Susan blushed unwillingly and bit her lip, an action that she did without fail whenever Ringo flattered her. She glanced at Barbara and shook her head.

"I can't. Barbara needs me to look after her."

"John is taking care of her." Susan looked at John who was most definitely not taking care of her.

"They're both fighting each other for the right to say I got my stomach pumped first." This made Ringo laugh.

"I love it when you talk," Ringo said out loud but didn't care anyway.

"Really? I think I sound weird."

"You have a beautiful voice." Ringo caressed a stand of Susan's hair.

"You're just drunk." Susan laughed.

"Even so." Ringo moved his hand slowly towards the side of her cheek. "Come on." Susan could tell there was no way of changing his mind or convincing him to stay. She didn't want to be there anyway.

She sighed, giving in to his charms and went up with him to his hotel room.