บท 96: Chapter 96 - Stay the Night

The massage ended up being a good move. My feet were killing me after doing all the hikes and even though I would have appreciated a back massage to loosen the tightness from my lower back I knew it would have to be rain checked for now.

I did not hear much commotion from the den but then again we were upstairs and the masseuse had relaxing music playing which blocked any noise from below.

'Hopefully Dean is doing ok. I know my Dad would be civil at least but I am not too sure about Grandpa Beau.' I forced myself to not think about it and purely enjoy the massage. However my phone pinged and gave me another ugly reminder.

Dante had texted me. After we set up the appointment to be three days from now he took the liberty that I was responding to ask questions. I could not be angry because it mainly consisted of logistics stuff like where we were going to meet and what time. But he snuck in other questions like how I was and other general questions about me and my family. Which again not exactly bad territory but I felt iffy about it.

I ignored it for now. 'Let me relax and turn off my brain for a bit.' Normally my anxiety would not allow me to not react to that but surprisingly I managed to push it away and just chill. It wasn't long before the massages ended and we rested while the team packed up.

I almost starting nodding off to sleep but my Nana nudged me awake. "I hate to wake you when you seem so relaxed but you should eat dinner before sleeping. You seem much thinner than when I last saw you."

My mother also nudged me as well. "Come on sleepy head lets just get a light dinner and then you can sleep."

I groaned as I got up and fumbled for my glasses. I took them off when I started getting comfortable but in order to see I needed them back on. I adjusted my clothes which thankfully did not ride up much so any visible skin was clear from any marks.

As we started to head down I heard the voices of my family and Dean. They were walking him towards the door but to my surprise my Grandpa looked very happy and friendly with Dean. He seemed very interested in him while my dad seemed pleased.

I was still a ways up on the grand staircase but while somewhat jarbled I heard my grandpa say something so shocking I lost my footing. "Well why don't you go out with my ladybug, she is currently single right now." 'HUH.' I slipped on the steps and fell on my butt and back. Thankfully I was holding onto the rail so I did not fully tumble down the stairs but I was still embarrassed.

It took everything in me to not cry. I heard everyone immediately scream in horror and heard heavy footsteps run up the steps. I felt someone pull me up but it wasn't my Dad or Grandpa, it was Dean. The other two men were not as fast so they did not react in time. My mom and Nana were a few steps behind me so they had no chance of breaking my fall.

"Jesus are you ok?" I breathily laughed off the fall but in reality I wanted a bus to run me over. "Its ok I am fine my slipper missed a step which is why I fell." Dean slipped his hand under my arm and pulled me close to his body. With our proximity he mumbled under his breath something he only wanted me to hear. "Princess you damn near gave me a heart attack."

His fingers squeezed my waist a bit as he carried me down the rest of the steps and sat me at one of the couches. I was mildly impressed with his strength. He supported my full weight with just one arm and he did not grunt or make any sign of struggle as we moved down.

I winced deeply as I sunk into the soft couch since my tailbone felt like it was on fire. My back also felt like shit which made me very upset since I was just recovering. Discreetly he massaged my arm with his thumb as he comforted me.

I had noticed it when we slept together and when he was carrying me down. He was like a human heat pack. Heat radiated off of him. His hands felt hot and though he was respectful in how he touched me, it still gave me goosebumps.

"Lets get you some ice, sweet pea you have to be more careful." My Nana fretted over me and left to grab an icepack and some towels so I can sit on it. I couldn't even argue about her statement. Dean took a seat on the armrest next to me while my grandpa and parents sat across from me as they also fretted amongst themselves.

I tried to shift the conversation to get them to relax. As much as I wanted to ask about whether I heard my grandpa correctly I knew a phone call from Dean later would tell me. "Thank you for the help. This aside, how was the game? You guys seemed to be in a good mood, I assume we won?"

This seemed to work as the men looked less stressed. "Oh yeah the team won, I wasn't worried for this game since their opponent has been doing rough so far in the playoffs." My dad responded lightly. "Next game though will be a tough one but I have hope."

"Did you have fun Grandpa?" Unlike the others he was unusually quiet. When I was little and would get hurt he was the type to worry and baby me. It was funny because he would show tough love to my mom when she was my age but could not bear to do the same for me.

So for him to not even say anything to me was unusual. He appeared lost in thought but after a second he nodded to himself before finally giving me his full attention. "Yeah I had fun. A good highlight of the trip for sure, hell I could argue it made my whole trip here worth it."

"I should plan this more often then." My dad seemed pleased with himself since he always likes to look good in front of his in-laws. My Nana came back in with some ice and I stuffed it under my butt.

The ice felt great as it cooled the throbbing I felt. "Ahhh that feels better." My grandpa glanced over at Dean and seemed to have thought of something. "Did you drive yourself here kid?"

"I did yes but I feel fine to drive I don't live to far from here." My mom seemed to have understood what my Grandpa was laying down. "No he is right dear I wouldn't let my own daughter drive by herself at this hour when she has had alcohol. Why don't you stay the night?"