Will I Still Need You? (Part 1 in the Needing You series)

Chapter Three

Richard looked at me. "What's wrong Winnie," He said, using his nickname for me. I broke apart. "He hit you again, didn't he," Richard asked quietly. I nodded through my sobs. Richard sighed and didn't say anything else for the rest of the trip to his flat.

When we got there, Richard took my bag and we walked into his flat. I had always felt comfortable in my brother's flat. It was one of the only places that I actually felt safe. Richard sat my bag down and opened his arms. I ran straight into them and started sobbing again.

Richard held me and rubbed my back while I cried. We stood there for about five minutes and then he led me to his couch. He sat down and I sat beside him. Richard took my small, fragile, hands in his big, rough ones, callused from years of drumming. He sighed. "Tell me what Lennon did this time, Win," Richard said. "He asked me to marry him and when I said I didn't think we were ready, he accused me of cheating on him and he hit me, Rich," I replied.

Richard sighed. "I told you from the beginning, Windy, Lennon's no good," Richard said firmly. "But I thought-" I started before Richard cut me off. "You can't change a man like John, love," Richard said. "He's a gear mate, but he's a bloody awful partner." I nodded numbly.

Richard sighed, putting his hand behind his neck. "I know you want to help him, love, but a lad like him can't be helped," Richard murmured. I nodded again. I got up and went to Ringo's bedroom and opened his drawer, getting out the Sir Walter Raleigh's I keep in his drawer when I come over.

I picked up the lighter and lit the cigarette and took a lengthy drag. "That's not good for a beauty like you," I heard a voice say. I turned and saw George, staring at me with a concerned expression, his hands in his jeans.

I felt the tears coming again. George sensed this too as he enveloped me into a hug. "George," I sobbed, clutching onto his shirt. George sat his chin on my head and held me even tighter. "What 'appended, my love," George whispered. "John," I simply said. George held me tighter. He knew how John treated his women. He saw the bruises, even though I tried to hide them. He knew.

I heard anyone walk into the room and hold us both. "Everything's a'right, love," I heard my brother murmur. "We won't let him hurt you again." I heard a knock at the door.

"I'll get it," George said. I sat back down on Richard's bed and finished my smoke. I heard the door open. "Is she here," I heard my boyfriend ask, desperate. "Oh, John," George sighed. "Is she," John cried.

I sighed and walked out of the room and to the door. I gently pushed George away from the doorway. I raised an eyebrow in question. "Yes John," I asked. Lighting anther cigarette. I stuck the ciggie in my mouth and took a drag. John laughed nervously. "You always did like Sir Walter's," He said quietly. I nodded.

"Please come back," John whispered. I shook my head. "I'm going to need some time to think about this, John," I said seriously. "Get away from my sister, Lennon," Richard growled, pulling me close to him. "But, Ringo," John said.

"But nothing," My brother spat. "You've been emotionally and physically abusing my little sister, and I'm not going to take it anymore!" I buried my face in Richard's neck and he wrapped his arms around me. "See what you've done," Richard yelled.

"You're a heartless person who doesn't deserve my Windy, she's a beautiful girl and her self-esteem is in the ground," Richard cried. "This is my baby sister who I trusted you not to hurt, yet you abuse her, she's scared of you!"

John just looked at the ground. I needed to have a walk. I untangled myself from Richard. "I-I'm going to take a walk," I said quietly. Richard looked at me, concerned. "Do you want me or George to come," He asked.

I shook my head. I grabbed a coat as it was raining and started out the door. "Can I walk with you," John asked. I nodded.

Richard watched us walking out, glaring as we did. I looked at John. He had a guilty look in his eyes. I took out another pack of cigarettes from my purse and lit one. "I'm sorry, Windy," John said, looking down. I shrugged nonchalantly. "It's not anything I'm not used to, John," I replied emotionless.

John looked at me with pleading eyes. "Please Windy," John whimpered. "It's Miss Starkey to you," I snapped. I faced John. "And I'm done with you, John," I muttered. John gasped. "Please Windy," John cried. "D-d-d-don't do this!"

I smirked. "I've fallen for that for years, John, and all that's changed is I get more bruises," I said. I looked at John and walked back to my brother's house. I opened the door, but even looking at John.