"The Cut"

Chapter 42- The Rebound

Chapter 42- THE REBOUND

"I LOVE this song!" sang Bailey as she turned up the volume in the Excursion. The lyrics to "Here Without You" by Three Doors Down came through the speakers more clearly and Bailey felt the urge that she'd been fighting all week. She reached into the back seat, but couldn't find what she was looking for.

"Where am I heading?" Chase asked warily, as he'd already slipped out of the Morrison's driveway. He knew he was in no shape to drive far. Bailey seemed bent on doing something out of character, even for the two of them. When she placed her hand on his thigh a few minutes prior, he couldn't help but feel a slight twinge of excitement.

 She had a wild streak and he knew it was enhanced when alcohol entered the equation.

"Drive toward the dead end. There's a path that goes into the woods before an old, blocked-off boat ramp. Dim your lights." she instructed. She unbuckled her seatbelt as Chase obeyed her directions and climbed over the back seat of the SUV.

"Gurl, what the fuck are you doing?" Chase laughed, as he yanked on her foot and she let out a slight screech. "I need you to pay attention to this trail. I don't even know where the hell you're taking me!"

 Bailey huffed. "Come on, Chase. Don't tell me you and Carson never made your way back here to Palmetto Point. Really?" she snickered, as she grabbed the bag she'd been searching for.

"Voila!" she said with satisfaction and pulled two bottles of Corona out of the brown bag.

  Chase lit up like a shooting star in the southern sky.

"Sweet ! I totally forgot about my brew. The bottle of vodka is stashed in my bag at Ryan's. Nice work, Detective." he commended. Bailey twisted the cap off of a bottle and handed it to Chase. She helped herself to the other and took a gulp of the cold, frothy beer.

"Thanks. Now, you might want to put it in four-wheel drive. It isn't much further. I can't believe I'm showing you the ropes to one of Fairview's hook-up spots. Come on, Chase, you're a senior!" she giggled over the top of the beer bottle as she sipped it again.

 She looked over to the guy who actually resembled his old, happy self for once.

"Ahh... I see what you're talking about. You know, Avery told me about this place a while back. I guess I forgot about it in the year that I was with the little Lolita. I have to say, this is pretty daring of you, Bail!"

 Bailey scooted up to her knees and slid her legs beneath her. She peeked out toward the heavy maples and thick brush that engulfed the old, overgrown park. There was a chain blocking the dilapidated boat dock and ramp. That didn't stop Chase from pulling as close to the water as possible before throwing the truck into park. He turned the low-beams off and unbuckled his seat belt. After chugging from his Corona, he turned and faced Bailey.

 He puffed out his cheeks with a sigh and couldn't help but notice her long, bronzed legs.

"What are you thinking?" Bailey ventured and Chase shook his head slowly.

"Oh... just how fucked up this whole thing with Fullman has been. I can't believe what an idiot I am! How could I have missed the signs, Bail? They were practically flashing in neon in front of my face." He gulped the rest of his beer and Bailey quickly popped the top of another for him. He clanged his beer bottle against Bailey's and the two shared a silent toast to loneliness.

 Bailey paused for a moment and then grunted. "Mmm... don't go beating yourself up too hard there, Varsity. I missed them until a few weeks ago myself. I mean, how the hell did this slip past me of all people, right? Those two are something else." She helped herself to another bottle of beer and placed the empty one in the bag.