Play With Me || 2 || Off the Ice Series

23 | The All Consuming Ache

ARDEN

I wake up to the soft sound of voices drifting up from downstairs. For a moment, I lie there, disoriented, blinking against the late-afternoon light filtering through the blinds. My heart skips as I remember the swarm of reporters still camped outside my house. My stomach tightens with the thought of one of them somehow slipping inside, but then I realize the voices are familiar—comforting, even.

I swing my legs off the bed, standing slowly and stretching out the stiffness from my nap. It feels like ages since I've had a moment to actually relax. But now, with the noise pulling me downstairs, I push myself to move, padding quietly down the hall and toward the stairs.

As I make my way down, I catch a glimpse of Rose and Aster sitting together on the couch, leaning in close as they chat. They both look up as I step into the room, their faces lighting up with gentle smiles. Relief sweeps over me—just Aster and Rose, no prying eyes or invasive questions.

"Hi," I say, trying to sound casual, even though I can tell by their expressions that they've probably been talking about me - I mean I can't blame them. I did just get found on a stranded island.

"Hey, sleepyhead," Rose teases, patting the seat beside her. "How're you feeling?"

I sink down between them, suddenly grateful just to have them here, even if I know where this conversation is heading.

I lay my head on Asters shoulder and she lays her on top of mine. "Matt's just gone to get food. Everything in your fridge is expired."

I huff, "I'm not ready to hear his lecture."

Aster laughs softly, running her hands over my hair.

"So..." Aster's voice is soft but pointed, and I can feel her eyes studying me closely. "Do you want to talk about what happened on the island?" She glances at Rose, and they share a look that's hard to miss—one filled with curiosity and a touch of worry.

I let out a shaky breath, feeling my cheeks warm. They've both been waiting for me to open up, and a part of me wants to keep it all locked away. But another part of me is just... tired. Tired of the secrets and the weight of it all pressing down on me.

After a moment of silence, I finally speak, my voice barely above a whisper. "There's... something I haven't told you guys." I pause, swallowing against the sudden tightness in my throat. "The night of the wedding, Jason and I... we slept together."

Aster's eyebrows shoot up, but she quickly masks her reaction, leaning forward to listen intently. Rose gives a quiet nod, her face softening with understanding. This was information she'd already figured out.

"It wasn't... the first time," I admit, feeling a pang of old, buried shame rise to the surface. "We actually... we actually hooked up once in high school, after this party." My gaze drops to my lap, my hands twisting together. "I thought— I thought maybe it meant something, but he never talked to me again, never brought it up. Just... ignored me after that."

The room goes quiet, and when I look up, both Rose and Aster are staring at me, their eyes wide. I can tell they're about to say something, maybe to reassure me or ask questions, but just then, the back door opens with a creak.

Matt steps inside, carrying a few bags and a paper bag with the McDonald's logo. Relief fills his face as he spots me, and he quickly drops everything onto the kitchen island before walking over, his arms already outstretched.

"Arden," he says, his voice a mix of exasperation and relief. He pulls me into a tight hug, one that feels a little too rough but comforting all the same. "What were you thinking, just disappearing like that? You have any idea how worried we've been?"