The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 158

The early morning sun bathed the city in a soft, golden glow as we all piled into Lucas’s car, bound for a spa resort located just an hour away. The tension between Aria and me was still present, like an invisible wall that separated us. Lucas, ever the mediator, sat in the driver’s seat, casting worried glances in our direction.

Lucas had arranged this day trip to the spa in the hopes of mending a hard couple of months, but I couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in my stomach. Aria had been avoiding me around the apartment for days, and the wounds from our argument still felt fresh.

As we drove down the winding road toward our destination, the awkward silence was broken only by the hum of the car’s engine. Lucas finally spoke up, his voice filled with a mixture of frustration and concern.

“Listen, you two,” he began, his eyes darting between us in the rearview mirror, “we’re here to relax and unwind. This trip is supposed to be fun, so can we please

go of any grudges and just enjoy it?”

let

Aria and I exchanged tense glances before nodding in reluctant agreement. The promise to keep things civil hung in the air, but I couldn’t help but wonder if it was too little, too late.

When we arrived at the spa resort, the lush surroundings and serene atmosphere momentarily lifted our spirits. We were greeted by a friendly staff member who handed us a schedule of activities for the day.

Our first activity was an aquatic cycling class, and we eagerly made our way to the pool area. Aria and I parted ways with Lucas as we headed to the ladies locker room to change. I kept my back toward her as I switched into my black one–piece and tied up my hair.

Aria didn’t even check to see if I’d finished before walking out of the room, letting the door slam behind her. I followed behind her, trying not to let the obvious. abrasiveness get under my skin. I drew my attention to the landscape before us.

The clear pool water sparkled in the sunlight, inviting us to dive in. I sat on the other side of Lucas, keeping my distance from Aria. Lucas quickly took notice as we adjusted our bikes in the waist–deep water.

The instructor, Jessica, waded over and greeted us all with a bright smile. “Are we

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ready to rock this work–out?”

mounting our bikes along with her as checked her smart watch for the time. After a few taps, she cast us a daring look. “We’re going to

help but exchange strained glances. It was as if the peaceful surroundings had done little to

the uneasy silence. “What are you staring

bubbling to the surface. “Aria, you stared

you’ve been lying to me about your problems for weeks,

anger welling up, my voice growing sharper. “Well, maybe if you didn’t treat me like

heavily. “Hey, you two, let’s not do this

seemed willing to back down. We continued to exchange heated words, our voices rising with each. passing

intervened, his tone firm. “Guys, enough! This is supposed to

herself chimed in, her voice stern. “I’ll have to ask you two to leave if you can’t maintain a peaceful

of just leaving entirely. We dismounted our aquatic bikes and made our way to the edge of the pool, chastened by the

After all, we were at a spa resort,

led to a serene,

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our respective massage therapists, it gave us the time to

was the first to speak, her voice filled with regret. “I didn’t like that

to a sense of relief. “I’m sorry for lying to you, Aria. I do trust you, but I feel like a burden a lot of the

sincere. “Girl, please. We’re allowed to burden each

eyes. “Even if I’m a dangerous

she confirmed quickly. “We’re not just

had been strained by recent events. But in that moment, it felt

smile, our unspoken grievances finally beginning to fade. “I never had

soothing music and the skilled hands of the masseuses worked wonders, melting away

but reflect on the recent turmoil in our lives. Aria and I had always been there for each other, through thick and thin. But the past weeks had tested our friendship in ways I

in my body, but I felt tears welling up in my eyes. “I’m telling

I thought she’d fallen asleep. However, she adjusted herself so that she was facing me with a look of concern.

I began to