Chapter Nine: Shamelessly Checking In

Callie spent the next few days keeping herself busy and doing her best to avoid her dad. She and Lip sent funny, flirtatious texts to each other, keeping their conversations simple. It took Callie those few days to finally find time to sit and talk with Emily. They caught up on everything that had been going on as they sat out on the front steps after the daycare closed for the night.

"So," Emily said. "You gonna keep seeing him?"

"Well, yeah," Callie replied.

"When?"

"I'm waiting for him to pick me up. We're going out for dinner."

"I still can't believe you didn't give him a little more than just a kiss on the cheek."

"Oh, I wanted to. Believe me."

"Why didn't you?"

Callie shrugged. "I guess I'm just hoping it'll be different this time around."

"Honey, if I were about ten years younger…"

"Emily!" Callie exclaimed, trying to stifle a laugh.

A moment later, they heard the sound of a motorcycle engine coming from down the road. The girls turned toward the street as the sound got louder. Then they saw Lip pull into the parking lot. As he shut off the engine, Emily leaned in to Callie.

"Hot damn," she said quietly. "I knew he worked at a bike shop, didn't know he owned one."

"Well," Callie replied. "That's my ride."

"You'd better hope so." Then Emily winked at her.

Callie stood and walked over to Lip. He was dressed in a button-down work shirt that had his name embroidered on the chest, black Dickie pants and a pair of steel-toe boots.

"Hey," Lip said.

"Hey, yourself," Callie said. She looked over at the bike. "Pretty sweet ride you got there."

"Fully restored. Did most of the work myself."

"Oh. So, is this you trying to impress me?"

"Is it working?"

"Maybe. You got a helmet for me?"

Lip slid a helmet off of the handlebars and handed it to Callie. She put it on and snapped the buckle.

"How do I look?" she asked.

"Like a badass biker chick" Lip replied.

Callie smiled. She settled herself onto the bike seat behind Lip, her arms wrapping around his waist. He started the engine up and then they took off down the road.

The wind rushed by as Callie kept a secure hold on Lip. A short time later, they stopped out front of a diner. When they walked in, Ian waved to them as he was clearing dishes from one of the tables, and then Fiona walked over to greet them.

"Hey, guys," she said with a bright smile.

"Hey, Fiona," Callie said. "You work here?"

"Manager, actually. The boys help me out from time-to-time."

"Temporarily," Ian chimed in as he walked past them.

Fiona playfully punched his arm. "So, you guys eating or just hanging?" she asked.

"We're gonna eat," Lip said.

"Great. I'll set you up with a table."

As Fiona grabbed menus, Lip leaned in and whispered something to her. Fiona gave him a sarcastic look and whispered back. Then she looked at Callie and smiled.

"Follow me," she said.

They followed Fiona over to a corner booth. They ordered drinks and Fiona left them to look over the menus.

"What do you recommend?" Callie asked as she looked over the menu.

"Burgers are pretty good," Lip replied. "Save some room, though. Their desserts are great."

"I'll bet."

Just then, Callie's cell phone started to ring. She dug it out of her pocket and looked at the call ID.

"It's my dad," she said.

"Answer it," Lip said.

Callie gave an exasperated sigh. She held her finger to her lips and then answered her phone. "Hey, dad."

"Where are you?" Paul asked. "Thought you'd be home by now."

"Just grabbing some dinner at the diner."

"Yeah. With who?"

"CARL FUCKING GALLAGHER!"

All of the patrons turned to see a blond- haired girl storm into the diner. Lip got up and hurried over to her as Fiona and Ian came out from the kitchen.

"Callie?!"

"Bye, dad. Call you later." Callie ended the call and turned her phone off.

"Kassidi," Lip said to the blond. "You need to leave. Now."

"Not 'til I see Carl," Kassidi said.

"He's not here," Ian said. "And he doesn't want to see you."

"I'm his wife!"

"Like hell you are," Fiona said. "You got married using fake ID's. And you know Carl filed a restraining order. Now get the fuck out of my diner before I call the cops."

"Fucking bitch!"

Fiona just smiled. "I've been called worse, sweetie."

Kassidi flipped them off as she stormed out of the diner. Then Lip walked back to the table and sat down.

"Wow," Callie said. "Does that happen a lot?"

"Gallagher ex's have a habit of popping up randomly," Lip said.

Callie thought about that for a moment. "I'm not going to run into any of your ex's, am I?"

"Jesus, I hope not."

After the chaos of Kassidi's outburst was dealt with, Callie and Lip were able to settle in and enjoy each other's company. They both ate burgers and French fries as they talked. Callie was impressed with the quality of this so-called "diner food."

Their conversation was kept light, just trying to get to know each other better. Callie did notice, as they were waiting for dessert, she had moved closer to Lip. Their legs were touching, and Callie's hand had come to rest on Lip's knee.

Callie pulled her hand away when Fiona brought their desserts to the table.

"Here we go," Fiona said, as she placed the plates on the table. "Caramel cheesecake for Callie and apple pie for Lip. Anything else?"

"Just the check," Lip replied.

"Thanks, Fiona," Callie said.

"Enjoy," Fiona said with a smile and she left the table.

Callie turned back to Lip. "She's very cheerful."

"She likes you," Lip said. "They all like you. So much that they conspired against us the other night."

"How's that?"

"Everyone acted like they all had something to do when they were told you coming for dinner."

"Hmm. Maybe it might have been that they were conspiring in our favor."

"Yeah?"

Callie smiled and nodded. She looked down at Lip's plate. "Could I try a bite of that?"

"Sure."

Lip slid his plate towards Callie. She dug into it with her fork and popped the bite into her mouth. A moment later, Fiona came back and placed the check on the table. Callie quickly snatched it up.

"We're going Dutch," she said firmly.

Lip held his hands up in surrender. "Fine by me."

"Assertive woman," Fiona grinned. "I knew I liked her."

Callie smiled. "Now, if you don't mind. Your brother and I are on a date."

"Right," Fiona said. "I'll let you be." Then she headed for the kitchen.