"The Cut"

Chapter 21- Friends & Foes

Chapter 21- Friends & Foes                                                                                              

Fweeeeeet!

"Omg. That fucking whistle." Chase thought to himself throughout Wednesday's practice.

 He and every team member dreamt of wrapping it around Fullman's neck at least once. It was like nails on a chalkboard! He was on a mission by Wednesday afternoon.

 A mission to make everyone's life sheer hell for the next sixty minutes.

 He'd already thrown a few jabs in Chase's direction earlier in the week, and it had taken everything in him to remain focused. The varsity team was prepared to annihilate the Bulldogs and their energy was indestructible, their egos enormous.

"Alright, let's hustle!" barked Coach Fullman. "Cooper, I wanna see you pick up the pace out here and stay close to the mid-field line instead of hugging the goal. That's Jacoby's position, not yours. If that ball gets swept around, there'll be no one to cover mid-field!"

 Brad Jacoby was the team's varsity goalie, and he didn't usually require much back-up. However, on rare occasions, Chase and Evan picked up his slack if necessary.

 It became more of a habit over the last two seasons, but Coach Fullman only seemed to mind recently.

 Chase had been blowing off his previous comments, but he knew he'd eventually reach the boiling point.

"Back off. He's slacking today. Tell him to block the penalty box and I'll maintain my position!" Chase shouted, as he made his way back to center field. He could feel the anxiety surging inside of him like steam trapped in a piping hot pot.

 Fullman was singling him out again, with the Homecoming game only three days out. Chase wondered how he'd ever make it to State Champs at this point.

"Hey, COOPER! I see everyone else on the field cooperating as a team but you. Don't ambush your teammate, work with him. Now, I've about had it with your attitude, so you better watch your step. We have three days until we play the Dogs. Three. Get that massive chip off your shoulder and play only your position. I'm not warning you again."

 Coach Fullman's voice was not only menacing, it was threatening. There was much more behind his anger toward Chase than just his skills on the soccer field.

 He was terrified of Chase and Carson reconciling. Of losing her forever.

 Carson made it crystal clear that until he left his wife, she was going to try to rekindle the relationship she'd had with Chase. He wouldn't hear of it!

 He was going to chisel Chase into oblivion.

 He would destroy him until there was nothing left but a fragment of a man. He would feel inferior not only to Fullman himself, but to Carson, as well. Chase was no match for him.

 Evan could see that Chase was about to snap. He whispered in a low voice, "Cool your jets, Man. Don't fall in the trap. He's fucking with you!" Chase was fire engine-red in the neck and face- he couldn't keep his anger bottled up much longer.

"This prick is working my last nerve." He growled, and Chase knew he'd have to step in or there would be major turmoil.

"Look, he said back off, so leave him the hell alone!" Evan fired at Coach Fullman, and he surprised himself for actually defending his friend on the field.

Normally, Evan let Fullman intimidate him, but he had already crossed the line several times.

"Watch it, Vaughn. You better stay out if this and let me handle it. I'll bench both of you before Saturday's game."