(23) Anna Kourkinova and the Miami Dolphins

For Belle Black, tonight was an “off” night. No cheerleading practice, no games, no workout, and no homework. Actually there was homework, but on this night, it fell to the back burner. Tonight was date night. Tonight was a little reminiscent of their first date.

Shawn took her to Chilis. This time, they knew half the staff, either by acquaintance, or hearsay. Mimi arranged for them to have the best seat in the house. Brady’s girlfriend Pamela served them. They got to see Brett in action behind the bar. And the most amusing event to witness: Brady and Ginny working for their tips. Fake smiles, catering to the whims of the most picky customers and children in the throes of a temper tantrum.

This time, Belle saved room for desert. The molten lava chocolate cake Mimi was always raving about. Of course she would have to make up for her splurging with a hundred extra crunches…but in the meantime.

Afterwards, they wandered through Salem Place to the theatres. They purchased their tickets for an early evening showing of the latest action flick. With over half an hour to spare, they decided to wander through Salem Place.

They passed by their favorite furniture store, feeling a pleasant wave of nostalgia. Shawn held Belle’s hand as they roamed to the back of the store. His favorite couch remained, only this time it wore a clearance tag. Shawn sprawled across it comfortably, clutching the decoration pillow. Belle took a seat in the lazy boy kitty-corner from him.

Shawn peered at Belle through droopy lids, “So…here we are.”

“Yep, pretty cool, huh. It’s still here.”

“I love this couch,” he murmured in admiration. “Maybe I should buy it,” he kidded.

“And put it where? You going to pull a Chloe and Mimi and get your own apartment?” Belle retorted.

Shawn cocked his head in consideration. “No…well, not in the immediate future. But someday, yes, definitely.”

Belle regarded him thoughtfully, wondering what he meant. “Shawn, what exactly do you see when you visualize your future?”

Shawn sat up and looked at the floor in front of him. He shrugged, speechless.

“Sometimes I...” Belle said, assuming he was at a loss for words.

“I see myself…” Shawn said at the same time.

Belle stopped and giggled, “Oh, I’m sorry. Go ahead.”

“No, what were you saying?”

“Nothing, nothing. It wasn’t important. Tell me what you see.”

Shawn let out a deep breath, “Are you sure?”

Belle nodded, “Of course. I wouldn’t have asked unless I really wanted to know.”

A huge smile came across Shawn’s smile as he relayed his “fantasy” future. “I don’t know…” he began modestly. “I see me living on my own, in a house. But not entirely alone, I definitely see a dog in the picture. And maybe some roommates, you know, like a total bachelor pad.”

“Oh,” Belle said softly, somewhat discouraged. “You don’t see someone specific in the picture?”

Shawn looked down, now picking at his pillow. “Not really. Just a few buddies…Coming and going as I please.”

“Are you in college?”

“Maybe…but not full time. A class or two, nothing real extensive.”

“So what are you doing in your spare time?”

“Working I guess. I can totally see myself as a cop, maybe a bartender. If not that, something…where I work with my hands. I can’t see myself as a paper pusher type, at all.”

“Me neither,” she said flatly.

“I just see me having fun. Lots of barbeques and keggers.”

“With girlie posters too?” Belle offered unenthusiastically, adding to the stereotype.

Shawn laughed, “Yeah! Like Anna Kourkinova, all over the place. A total shrine.”

Belle rolled her eyes, “Sounds like some place Brady or Matt and Jason Wells would live in.”

“No shit. They would be cool roommates. That’d be a riot.”

Belle sat forward in her chair, “I take it there aren’t any girls in the picture.”

Shawn’s eyes widened, “Are you kidding? Of course there is. Tons. College girls!”

“Hmmmm. But nothing steady?”

“No, not really. I don’t see myself being tied down.”

“That’s nice,” she said, barely audible as her heart fell to the floor.

“Hey, I wanna live it up as much as the next person.”

“Hmmmm. Live it up.” Belle managed a small, fake smile.

She stood up and pretended an interest in the nearby sectional. She walked over to it, seating herself so she faced away from Shawn. She gripped her forehead, now pounding with the latest ugly dose of reality…

Here she spent day after day, hour after hour, minute after minute fantasizing about THEIR future. THEIR post-high school courtship, HIS marriage proposal, THEIR engagement, THEIR wedding day, THEIR marriage, THEIR children. And sometimes, more often than not these days, HIS body on top of hers. Making love to HER- no one else.

But after hearing this, why bother? Who could compete with a life of Anna Kourkinova and the Wells brothers?

She realized giving into the attraction was the easy part. But building a relationship- that was opening a whole new can of worms. Full of hopes and dream of a blissful future, but finding out otherwise. Things she never thought possible. Shawn Douglas Brady, o tough guy of tough guys…The distance from my heart to yours is?

At least now, she knew where she stood with HIS feelings.

Right.

Belle stood up to browse more, feigning suspicion. From the sound of it, she had no choice but to redirect her creative energies. In the future, Belle Black would be eating, living, sleeping alone- or with someone else.

******

Shawn watched Belle strolling quietly throughout the store. He could tell she was a bit miffed, but what else was new? The truth was, he did see her in the future. Sorta. He surely didn’t see anyone else. Nor did he see himself alone. But to admit something like this, so soon. It didn’t seem wise, no matter what happened. Life had a way of changing things. He hated the idea of making promise he couldn’t keep.

Shawn shook his head in defeat. You try to be careful, and look where it gets you. Now she’s pissed.

He looked at his watch. They still had time, but now was good as any. Plus he wanted a good seat. “You ready to go?” he called out to her.

Belle looked over her shoulder to him, mumbling a polite “Sure.”

Shawn met her near the front entrance, holding door open for her. Hoping to liven the mood a little, he decided to switch tables. “What about you? What do you see in your future?”

Belle slipped her hands in her pockets, staring straight ahead. “I’ll probably move to Miami,” she said breezily.

“Miami, huh? Cool town.” He said, feeling his heart sink slightly when he considered the distance.

“Hopefully I’ll become a Miami Dolphins cheerleader. Oh yeah, and if I’m lucky, I can screw the entire team,” she lied, hoping to give him a similar jolt of pain.

Shawn gaped at her. He struggled to swallow, “The whole team?”

“Starting with Marino.”

“Ha ha, very funny. Don’t step over your ambitions or anything Belle,” he said sarcastically.

“Nor you,” she jabbed in return.

They continued their walk to the theater in a deafening silence.

Once they entered the theater, Shawn asked her if she wanted anything to drink. Belle nodded, “I’ll take an icey Slice. I’ll be back in a second. I have to use the restroom.” Shawn cleared his throat and worked his way to the concession stands. He stood in line, drowning in thought, oblivious to the crowd around him.

Their evening was going so perfectly until she asked that freaking question. Damn. She said she wanted him to be honest. Apparently that meant hearing what she wanted to hear. Not what he had to say.

Shawn itched his shoulders with his chin. His eyes fell to an image in front of him that made him almost choke with nausea.

On her way to the concession stands, Belle conveniently ran into a mutual friend of theirs. Ryan Maddoxx was a senior, and Salem High’s leading defensive lineman. The world stopped suddenly as Shawn witnessed their interaction.

Shawn felt the sudden urge to knock Ryan’s teeth out… One at a time. But Shawn wasn’t stupid. For he knew Ryan would only turn around and knock his teeth out as well. Probably splitting them in half while he was at it.

Such as life.

There she was, Belle Black. With her warm smile, charming personality, and killer body. Working it. Touching Ryan’s arm slightly before returning to his own side.

She reached out for her drink. Prying it away from Shawn’s death-like grip. “Hey you. Thanks for the drink. Ryan’s going to the same movie as we are. He wants us to sit with him and Devon.”

Shawn sniffed, his brown eyes burning with fury. “You either sit with him, or you sit with me,” he said curtly. He glared at her, relaying a subtle message. Don’t Even Think It, Isabella.

Only God knows why, she caught it. She returned to Ryan and declined his offer.

Belle turned to Shawn, frowning. She took her tickets from him and led the way to their screening room. Shawn fell a few steps behind, staring intently at the backside of his ladylove.

The Miami Dolphins…

What the hell? Why’d this have to come up in the first place?