Page 64 of Beautifully Wounded

That is until she notices me.

Her dark glare shoots my way, which seems to get Ringo’s attention because his eyes find me as I slowly approach, as do a number of other men lazing about on chairs in the sun.

For the first time in days, instead of leaving my hair down or putting it in braids, I’ve tied it up high on my crown, my blonde strands still wet as droplets soak into the green fabric of the hoodie.

Normally I’d hate the attention, but something about the way my mere presence annoys Wendy has me walking taller, my chinhigh, shoulders rolled back with a level of confidence I haven’t felt in a couple of years.

“Someone looks happy today.” Smitty, the President, chuckles from next to Ringo, nudging him with his elbow as I approach.

Ringo holds his hand out as I near, my eyes falling to it and I hesitate slightly, my gaze darting back up to lock onto Ringo’s.

Oh right. The ruse. I’m playing the part of his girl.

Reaching out, I slide my fingers into his open palm, and he pulls me to him, leading me down onto his lap.

“Hi,” I say sweetly to Smitty, trying to sound as confident as I pretended to be moments ago.

“Hey there, pretty girl. You feeling better today?” Smitty asks, and when I tense a little, Ringo links his fingers with mine, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

“Yes. Sorry, I haven’t been a very pleasant guest.” I smile. “I haven’t been feeling well, but feel much better today.”

“Better not have been Rona.” Wendy, the cow, snipes as she comes to stand next to Smitty, draping herself over him like she’s about to start dry humping his thigh.

“If it was the virus, I can assure you Charity wouldn’t be out here spreading it around.” Ringo snaps at Wendy, as he absentmindedly pulls me closer on his lap.

“Charity is an interesting name.” Darla comes up behind Wendy, propping her hand on her hip as she gives me the once over. “Why’d your parents call you that? Because you’re a charity case?”

“The fuck!” Ringo bolts up, nearly sending me flying as he lunges for Darla, and it’s Smitty who blocks his path.

“Back the fuck down, Ringo.” Smitty sneers as he holds him back, but Ringo ignores him, stabbing a finger in Darla’s direction. “Fucking apologise. Now!”

His boom is loud, and regret washes over Darla’s expression as she nods. “I-I’m sorry.”

Ringo shoves Smitty back. “Don’t fucking apologise to me!” he snarls, turning to glance at me a few feet away as I wrap my arms around my middle.

Reaching out to me, Ringo’s stare is firm and commanding as he waits, and even though I eye Darla and Smitty, my hand finds Ringo’s before I let him tug me to his side.

Turning to face Darla again, Ringo glares at her. “Apologise tomywoman.”

Oh.

Oh.

His woman.

Darla visibly gulps, but I don’t care much for her discomfort.

“I’m sorry, Charity. That was so rude of me. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“I fucking do,” Ringo mutters quietly before his gaze shifts to Wendy, who looks nothing but smug right now.

Did she put Darla up to this?

The last thing I need is a bunch of high school bitchiness from grown women who should know better.

“It’s okay,” I say to Darla despite how I feel. “I actually joke about being a charity case myself. I don’t know what my name givers were thinking when they named me that. I’ve been considering changing it.”

When Ringo glances at me, I can tell he’s biting back a smirk at the way I so easily go along with the lie.

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