"The Cut"

Chapter 26- The Skinny on the Sweetwater

Chapter 26- THE SKINNY ON THE SWEETWATER

With an early pre-game practice, Homecoming game, and dance the following day, most of the varsity soccer team opted for a low-key Friday night to blow off  some steam.

 The Coopers owned a twenty-six foot Sweetwater pontoon boat and Chase offered to take a few friends on a "quiet" cruise which quickly translated to "chaotic" for several members of the team and their significant others.

 Chase had operated the boat since he was sixteen and his parents allowed he and his older sister, Avery, to take it out for special occasions. Their house was situated on the intracoastal waterway and the boat was docked directly behind the Coopers house on a small canal.

 One of the many perks to living the Southern beach life!

 By the time plans were made and everyone met at Chase's, it was nearly 5 o'clock. Among the invited guests were Evan, Grace, Bailey, Ryan, Gavin, Becca and Katie.

 The team's goalie, Brad Jacoby, and his girlfriend, Casey, tagged along with two junior mid-fielders, Kaden and Zach. They included their Homecoming dates, Hannah and Mackenzie, and Chase tallied up the total number of friends, relieved that all fourteen would fit comfortably on the boat.

 It was perfect weather for a sunset boat ride and some fun times with friends. Chase was bent on putting Carson out of his head.

 Permanently.

 This provided the perfect opportunity! His only stipulation was that NO alcohol be brought upon the boat.

 He'd only had his boater's license for a little over a year and he didn't want to take any chances with Harbor Patrol. Driving the pontoon boat was just like driving a car and he took it very seriously when he was behind the wheel... minus last weekend's bonfire extravaganza!

Shudder.

 He'd promised his folks repeatedly that he was responsible enough to take the boat out. He enjoyed having company whenever the opportunity arose. Evan had been on the boat too many times to count over the last few years, as well as Ryan and Gavin.

 Evan was thrilled to bring Grace along since she hadn't met the Coopers or been on the boat yet. Her mom insisted that she and Evan bring their large, Yeti cooler, which she happily filled with snacks, sodas, and a ton of bottled water.

 The Hannitys were fans of the shore who loved a good excuse to pack up the Jeep on a weekend and spend the day at a local hot spot. West Palm Beach was at the top of their list, and that included plenty of afternoons filled with swimming, parasailing, wakeboarding, and motor boating.

 Naturally, Grace jumped at the chance to go on the Sweetwater when Evan invited her, and Bailey showed up bikini-clad, ready to roll within an hour of Grace's texts.

 She practically did cartwheels into Grace's front door when she arrived. Grace was happy to have her join in the excitement that evening.

 Chase's parents, Bud and Sherri, were the most hospitable people in Coquina Key Estates. It was a very affluent neighborhood on the outskirts of Fairview. They always had a reason to throw a party, have a cookout, or take a crew out for a boat ride.

 The Coopers were coincidentally best friends with Ryan Morrison's folks, Chuck and Sissy, who shared very similar interests.

 The two couples went golfing on weekends, ate happy hour dinners together in typical Floridian fashion, and even combined their families during most holidays. Ryan and his younger brothers were close to Chase, but not nearly as devoted as Evan.