Chapter Three
Chloe sat on her bed starring at the tape in her hand. "Why do I want to watch it so badly?" she asked Nancy's dog, Sugar. "If I can't trust Philip, there's no way we can have a future together. Maybe I can't trust him."
At that moment her cell phone rang. Who could be calling now. Maybe it was Belle. "Misery loves company right? I'll be great company for Belle right now," she said to Sugar as she answered her phone.
"Hello?"
"Chloe? It's Brady."
"Oh, hi Brady. I was hoping you were Belle."
"Sorry, I'm a little taller and have a deeper voice. What did you need Belle for?"
"Actually I was thinking that she might need me."
"Why? What's wrong with Belle?"
"Hasn't she told you yet? I thought you would have been one of the first people she would tell."
"Tell what!"
"If Belle hasn't told you I don't think it's my place to do so."
"Chloe tell me what's going on with my little sister right now!"
"O.K. I hope she doesn't get mad at me for telling you."
"I'll tell her I made you tell me. So tell me!"
"Belle and Shawn broke up."
"What?! When?"
"Yesterday at school."
"Yester- so that's what was wrong when she came home. I thought she was acting a little strangely. Do you know why they broke up?"
"Yes but I really think Belle should tell you all the details."
"Chloe I don't want to go through all that again. Tell me what you know about my sister!"
"Belle said Shawn told her that he slept with Jan and she was having his baby."
"I'll kill him! I'm going to kill him! How could he do that to Belle?!
"I don't know. Belle said it happened on the island but I really don't know anything else."
"That's it! I'm going to kill him. Belle risked her life to help him find that ruby and this is how he thanks her! By sleeping with someone else! I'm going to kill him!"
Brady! Stop it. Talk to Belle before doing anything stupid."
"Stupid?! You call protecting my sister from the scum bag who thought he could cheat on her stupid."
"Yes, well that 'scum bag' happens to be your cousin - don't forget that."
"I have to go. I'll talk to you later."
"Brady, wait!" But it was too late. He had already hung up.
"Oh no. I need to let Belle know what's going on." She tried to call Belle's cell but the automated voice told her the cell phone was either turned off or out of range. She tried the penthouse but got only the machine. She hung up before leaving a message and tried Shawn's cell phone. No answer! What was wrong with everyone having their phones off at a time like this. She tried Shawn's house but of course only the machine answered. Where was everyone?
"Well, if I can't find Shawn hopefully Brady won't either until he calms down. Judging by his tone that should be sometime next millennium." Chloe grabbed her jacket and ran downstairs. She had to try to find Shawn or Belle before things got ugly.
Chapter Four
"My mom's kicking me out of the house, Shawn!" Jan sobbed as she leaned on Shawn's arm. They were in the school parking lot in Bo's truck.
"Hold on what did she say exactly. Maybe she just needs some more time to get used to the idea."
"No Shawn. She said if I wasn't going to get an abortion or if you weren't going to marry me I had to find someplace else to live."
"What about your dad? Can you go stay with him until your mom calms down?"
"No. I'd just be in the way of all the parties he has and his very active dating life. He wouldn't want his knocked up teenaged daughter there when he brought some woman home from a date. What am I going to do?"
Shawn took a deep breath. "You can stay at my house. I mean I'll have to check with my parents but I'm sure you could stay there at least for a while. Maybe after the shock of all this wears off your mom will realize that she's going to be a grandmother and might want to see her grandchild some day."
Jan hugged Shawn. "What would I do without you. You're the greatest. I can't believe everything you have done for me. No one's ever cared about me the way you have."
"Well, I know it's the right thing to do. Come on. Let me talk to my parents and then go get some of your stuff."
They drove to the police station and Shawn told his dad about Jan's mom and asked if she could stay with them at least until Jan's mom calmed down. Bo call Hope cell phone and talked it over with her. Neither one was thrilled with the idea but they couldn't very well leave Jan without a place to stay.
"O.K. She can move in," Bo told his son. "Hopefully her mom will come around soon. We'll definitely need to talk about this more but we can do that later. How are you doing?"
"I'm O.K. I can't believe all this is happening but I know I'm doing the right thing for this baby."
Bo hugged him and said, "I'm sorry you have to go through this but I'm proud at how you are handling your responsibilities. Go get Jan's stuff and get her settled in the guest room and I'll see you at home. I love you," Bo said and gave his son a hug.
"I love you, too, Dad. I'll see you at home."
Shawn was quiet the entire ride to Jan's house. He kept praying that her mother wouldn't be there. He really wasn't up for another battle with Mrs. Spears. "Do you think that your mom will be home now?"
"I don't think so. She should still be at work."
"Good. I really don't think I could talk to her right now."
When they pulled up to the house there was no sign of Mrs. Spears car. One thing seemed to be going right today, Shawn thought. They were able to get into the house and Jan packed a bag.
"Do you think you should leave a message letting you mom know where you'll be?"
"Why? Do you actually think she cares? She'll just be glad her slut of a daughter is out of her hair."
"Don't say that about yourself. I really think she needs to know where you are in case she changes her mind and wants you to come home."
"O.K. I leave a note on her mirror. It's the one place I'm sure she'll look since she's so big on appearances."
Jan wrote a short note and stuck it to the mirror in her mother's bathroom. "O.K. I'm ready."
Shawn carried her suitcase to the truck and the two drove back to Shawn's house.
Shawn was getting Jan's suitcase out of the truck when he heard his name. "Shawn."
Shawn turned to see his dream come true. Belle was standing in his driveway and calling out his name. His spirits rose until he saw her look from Jan to the suitcase in his hand. Her beautiful face began to show the hurt she felt. Then her blue eyes began to blaze with anger and hatred and it was all directed at him.
"Couldn't wait to get rid of your stupid girlfriend so the girl you really want could move right in, could you Shawn! Now you can have her whenever you want and won't have to think of some way to get away from stupid, naive little Belle."
She turned to storm off. "Belle, wait. Let me explain," Shawn called to her.
"You can explain to me, Shawn," Brady said getting out of his SUV. "You can explain to me why you cheated on my sister not to mention getting the other girl pregnant. If Belle doesn't want to hear you out I certainly do."
"Brady..." Shawn began as he turned to face his cousin. Just then Brady slugged Shawn square in the face.
"Shawn!" Belle, Jan and Chloe, who had just arrived, all yelled at the same time.
Belle started to rush over to were Shawn had fallen but Jan was already there holding Shawn's head in her lap. Belle couldn't take it any longer. "Philip, take me home. I'm finished here."
"Well I'm not," said Brady. "Come one Shawn. Don't think you going to get off that easy."
Shawn tried to get up but got dizzy and fell back down. Jan was there to catch him.
"Brady, leave him alone. He's not worth your time," Belle said.
"I'm glad you realize that Belle. I hope you feel the same."
"I do. Come on Philip take me home please."
Philip and Belle drove off. Brady turned back to Shawn while Jan and CHloe helped him to his feet.
"Go ahead Brady. Do what you came to do. I know I deserve it for what I did to Belle."
Belle's right. You're not worth my time. Just stay away from Belle. That shouldn't be hard for you since your other girl appears to be moving in. Just try to concentrate on one girl at a time for a change. This one should keep you busy enough."
"Brady this isn't what it looks like."
"You mean the girl you knocked up isn't moving into your house the day after you broke my sister's heart."
"Jan needed a place to stay."
"Save it Shawn. I don't care what you have to stay. Just be sure to keep away from Belle. You've hurt her enough." Brady turned and said to Chloe, "Come on. I'll take you home."
"No thank you Brady. I need to talk to Shawn."
"What could you possibly have to say to him after what he's done to Belle?!"
"First of all Brady I do not stop talking to my friends when they make a mistake. And secondly when my friends are in trouble I want to see if I can help them."
"What about you friend, Belle? Don't you think she needs help now?"
"Belle left with Philip and I'm sure if she needs anything else right now her parents and you will take care of it for her. Tell her I'll call her later. Right now I want to talk to Shawn."
"Fine! Suit yourself." With that Brady got into his SUV and roared off.
Chloe turned to Shawn and saw his nose was bleeding and a black eye was begining to form. "I'll get you some ice for your face. Do you need to see a doctor?"
"No, I'm fine. Chloe you don't need to stay. Go and be with Belle. She needs you more than I do right now."
Chloe could sense that Shawn was hurting as much as Belle. "I meant what I said about Belle having enough people with her right now. I'll call her later but it's you I'm worried about right now. I'll go get ice for your eye." With that Chloe headed into the house.
Shawn hurt too much to argue. Besides it felt good to have someone helping him for a change. Shawn turned to Jan. I'll take you up to your room." Shawn got up slowly and started to pick up Jan's suitcase.
"No, Shawn," said Jan. "I can carry that."
"It's O.K. I've got it." Shawn showed Jan up to her room. Setting the suitcase on the bed he said, "Is there anything I can get you?"
"No Shawn, I'm fine. I'm really sorry to have dragged you into this."
"That's O.K. Jan. I made this decision with my eyes wide open. I was just glad to be able to save this baby's life especially since I have not been able to do anything as to help save my brother from being taken away from us."
I am so lucky to have you for a friend. I really don't know what I would have done without you to help me through everything. You've done so much for me I hope I can return the favor some day. I am really a little tired right now. I think I'll just go to bed if that's all right?"
"Sure. Whatever you want that's fine. I'll be downstairs if you need me." Shawn closed the door behind him and went down to the kitchen where Chloe had an ice pack and wet towel waiting for him.
"Thanks, Chloe. I really appreciate it," he said as he sat down and began to clean up his face. His nose had stopped bleeding but everything still hurt, and not just his face.
"How are you feeling? It looks like your eye is getting worse." She handed him the ice pack to put on his eye and sat down next to him at the table.
"I'll be all right. I really deserve it after hurting Belle this way but I know I've done the right thing."
"I want you to know that you and Belle are my best friends. I don't want to be taking sides in this. I don't like what you've done to Belle and I'll be there for her if she needs me, but I also want you to know I realize this is hard on you and if you need a friend I'll be here for you."
"Thanks Chloe. I'm glad Belle can count on you. I truly hate it that I'm the reason that she is hurting so badly."
Chloe reached over and took Shawn's hand. "Do you want to talk about it? I am a really good listener."
"No, not now. But thanks for the offer. I'm glad I can count on you."
"Anytime."
Chloe sat on her bed starring at the tape in her hand. "Why do I want to watch it so badly?" she asked Nancy's dog, Sugar. "If I can't trust Philip, there's no way we can have a future together. Maybe I can't trust him."
At that moment her cell phone rang. Who could be calling now. Maybe it was Belle. "Misery loves company right? I'll be great company for Belle right now," she said to Sugar as she answered her phone.
"Hello?"
"Chloe? It's Brady."
"Oh, hi Brady. I was hoping you were Belle."
"Sorry, I'm a little taller and have a deeper voice. What did you need Belle for?"
"Actually I was thinking that she might need me."
"Why? What's wrong with Belle?"
"Hasn't she told you yet? I thought you would have been one of the first people she would tell."
"Tell what!"
"If Belle hasn't told you I don't think it's my place to do so."
"Chloe tell me what's going on with my little sister right now!"
"O.K. I hope she doesn't get mad at me for telling you."
"I'll tell her I made you tell me. So tell me!"
"Belle and Shawn broke up."
"What?! When?"
"Yesterday at school."
"Yester- so that's what was wrong when she came home. I thought she was acting a little strangely. Do you know why they broke up?"
"Yes but I really think Belle should tell you all the details."
"Chloe I don't want to go through all that again. Tell me what you know about my sister!"
"Belle said Shawn told her that he slept with Jan and she was having his baby."
"I'll kill him! I'm going to kill him! How could he do that to Belle?!
"I don't know. Belle said it happened on the island but I really don't know anything else."
"That's it! I'm going to kill him. Belle risked her life to help him find that ruby and this is how he thanks her! By sleeping with someone else! I'm going to kill him!"
Brady! Stop it. Talk to Belle before doing anything stupid."
"Stupid?! You call protecting my sister from the scum bag who thought he could cheat on her stupid."
"Yes, well that 'scum bag' happens to be your cousin - don't forget that."
"I have to go. I'll talk to you later."
"Brady, wait!" But it was too late. He had already hung up.
"Oh no. I need to let Belle know what's going on." She tried to call Belle's cell but the automated voice told her the cell phone was either turned off or out of range. She tried the penthouse but got only the machine. She hung up before leaving a message and tried Shawn's cell phone. No answer! What was wrong with everyone having their phones off at a time like this. She tried Shawn's house but of course only the machine answered. Where was everyone?
"Well, if I can't find Shawn hopefully Brady won't either until he calms down. Judging by his tone that should be sometime next millennium." Chloe grabbed her jacket and ran downstairs. She had to try to find Shawn or Belle before things got ugly.
Chapter Four
"My mom's kicking me out of the house, Shawn!" Jan sobbed as she leaned on Shawn's arm. They were in the school parking lot in Bo's truck.
"Hold on what did she say exactly. Maybe she just needs some more time to get used to the idea."
"No Shawn. She said if I wasn't going to get an abortion or if you weren't going to marry me I had to find someplace else to live."
"What about your dad? Can you go stay with him until your mom calms down?"
"No. I'd just be in the way of all the parties he has and his very active dating life. He wouldn't want his knocked up teenaged daughter there when he brought some woman home from a date. What am I going to do?"
Shawn took a deep breath. "You can stay at my house. I mean I'll have to check with my parents but I'm sure you could stay there at least for a while. Maybe after the shock of all this wears off your mom will realize that she's going to be a grandmother and might want to see her grandchild some day."
Jan hugged Shawn. "What would I do without you. You're the greatest. I can't believe everything you have done for me. No one's ever cared about me the way you have."
"Well, I know it's the right thing to do. Come on. Let me talk to my parents and then go get some of your stuff."
They drove to the police station and Shawn told his dad about Jan's mom and asked if she could stay with them at least until Jan's mom calmed down. Bo call Hope cell phone and talked it over with her. Neither one was thrilled with the idea but they couldn't very well leave Jan without a place to stay.
"O.K. She can move in," Bo told his son. "Hopefully her mom will come around soon. We'll definitely need to talk about this more but we can do that later. How are you doing?"
"I'm O.K. I can't believe all this is happening but I know I'm doing the right thing for this baby."
Bo hugged him and said, "I'm sorry you have to go through this but I'm proud at how you are handling your responsibilities. Go get Jan's stuff and get her settled in the guest room and I'll see you at home. I love you," Bo said and gave his son a hug.
"I love you, too, Dad. I'll see you at home."
Shawn was quiet the entire ride to Jan's house. He kept praying that her mother wouldn't be there. He really wasn't up for another battle with Mrs. Spears. "Do you think that your mom will be home now?"
"I don't think so. She should still be at work."
"Good. I really don't think I could talk to her right now."
When they pulled up to the house there was no sign of Mrs. Spears car. One thing seemed to be going right today, Shawn thought. They were able to get into the house and Jan packed a bag.
"Do you think you should leave a message letting you mom know where you'll be?"
"Why? Do you actually think she cares? She'll just be glad her slut of a daughter is out of her hair."
"Don't say that about yourself. I really think she needs to know where you are in case she changes her mind and wants you to come home."
"O.K. I leave a note on her mirror. It's the one place I'm sure she'll look since she's so big on appearances."
Jan wrote a short note and stuck it to the mirror in her mother's bathroom. "O.K. I'm ready."
Shawn carried her suitcase to the truck and the two drove back to Shawn's house.
Shawn was getting Jan's suitcase out of the truck when he heard his name. "Shawn."
Shawn turned to see his dream come true. Belle was standing in his driveway and calling out his name. His spirits rose until he saw her look from Jan to the suitcase in his hand. Her beautiful face began to show the hurt she felt. Then her blue eyes began to blaze with anger and hatred and it was all directed at him.
"Couldn't wait to get rid of your stupid girlfriend so the girl you really want could move right in, could you Shawn! Now you can have her whenever you want and won't have to think of some way to get away from stupid, naive little Belle."
She turned to storm off. "Belle, wait. Let me explain," Shawn called to her.
"You can explain to me, Shawn," Brady said getting out of his SUV. "You can explain to me why you cheated on my sister not to mention getting the other girl pregnant. If Belle doesn't want to hear you out I certainly do."
"Brady..." Shawn began as he turned to face his cousin. Just then Brady slugged Shawn square in the face.
"Shawn!" Belle, Jan and Chloe, who had just arrived, all yelled at the same time.
Belle started to rush over to were Shawn had fallen but Jan was already there holding Shawn's head in her lap. Belle couldn't take it any longer. "Philip, take me home. I'm finished here."
"Well I'm not," said Brady. "Come one Shawn. Don't think you going to get off that easy."
Shawn tried to get up but got dizzy and fell back down. Jan was there to catch him.
"Brady, leave him alone. He's not worth your time," Belle said.
"I'm glad you realize that Belle. I hope you feel the same."
"I do. Come on Philip take me home please."
Philip and Belle drove off. Brady turned back to Shawn while Jan and CHloe helped him to his feet.
"Go ahead Brady. Do what you came to do. I know I deserve it for what I did to Belle."
Belle's right. You're not worth my time. Just stay away from Belle. That shouldn't be hard for you since your other girl appears to be moving in. Just try to concentrate on one girl at a time for a change. This one should keep you busy enough."
"Brady this isn't what it looks like."
"You mean the girl you knocked up isn't moving into your house the day after you broke my sister's heart."
"Jan needed a place to stay."
"Save it Shawn. I don't care what you have to stay. Just be sure to keep away from Belle. You've hurt her enough." Brady turned and said to Chloe, "Come on. I'll take you home."
"No thank you Brady. I need to talk to Shawn."
"What could you possibly have to say to him after what he's done to Belle?!"
"First of all Brady I do not stop talking to my friends when they make a mistake. And secondly when my friends are in trouble I want to see if I can help them."
"What about you friend, Belle? Don't you think she needs help now?"
"Belle left with Philip and I'm sure if she needs anything else right now her parents and you will take care of it for her. Tell her I'll call her later. Right now I want to talk to Shawn."
"Fine! Suit yourself." With that Brady got into his SUV and roared off.
Chloe turned to Shawn and saw his nose was bleeding and a black eye was begining to form. "I'll get you some ice for your face. Do you need to see a doctor?"
"No, I'm fine. Chloe you don't need to stay. Go and be with Belle. She needs you more than I do right now."
Chloe could sense that Shawn was hurting as much as Belle. "I meant what I said about Belle having enough people with her right now. I'll call her later but it's you I'm worried about right now. I'll go get ice for your eye." With that Chloe headed into the house.
Shawn hurt too much to argue. Besides it felt good to have someone helping him for a change. Shawn turned to Jan. I'll take you up to your room." Shawn got up slowly and started to pick up Jan's suitcase.
"No, Shawn," said Jan. "I can carry that."
"It's O.K. I've got it." Shawn showed Jan up to her room. Setting the suitcase on the bed he said, "Is there anything I can get you?"
"No Shawn, I'm fine. I'm really sorry to have dragged you into this."
"That's O.K. Jan. I made this decision with my eyes wide open. I was just glad to be able to save this baby's life especially since I have not been able to do anything as to help save my brother from being taken away from us."
I am so lucky to have you for a friend. I really don't know what I would have done without you to help me through everything. You've done so much for me I hope I can return the favor some day. I am really a little tired right now. I think I'll just go to bed if that's all right?"
"Sure. Whatever you want that's fine. I'll be downstairs if you need me." Shawn closed the door behind him and went down to the kitchen where Chloe had an ice pack and wet towel waiting for him.
"Thanks, Chloe. I really appreciate it," he said as he sat down and began to clean up his face. His nose had stopped bleeding but everything still hurt, and not just his face.
"How are you feeling? It looks like your eye is getting worse." She handed him the ice pack to put on his eye and sat down next to him at the table.
"I'll be all right. I really deserve it after hurting Belle this way but I know I've done the right thing."
"I want you to know that you and Belle are my best friends. I don't want to be taking sides in this. I don't like what you've done to Belle and I'll be there for her if she needs me, but I also want you to know I realize this is hard on you and if you need a friend I'll be here for you."
"Thanks Chloe. I'm glad Belle can count on you. I truly hate it that I'm the reason that she is hurting so badly."
Chloe reached over and took Shawn's hand. "Do you want to talk about it? I am a really good listener."
"No, not now. But thanks for the offer. I'm glad I can count on you."
"Anytime."