Chapter 8
Kelly heard the annoyed tone and wondered if he should hang up. "Parker?" he asked cautiously.
"Who's this?"
"It's Kelly. Kelly Severide."
She heard who it was and instantly felt like an ass. Her tongue was tied. She couldn't say anything.
"Parker?"
"I'm here," she finally managed to squeak out.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Just wasn't expecting your call."
Kelly paced the floor as he talked outside the common room of 51. Her admission surprised him. He thought she would be waiting by the phone for his call. What the hell was she talking about that she wasn't expecting him to call? He paced the hall again. "Yeah, well, I've been busy."
"I'm sure you have. Fighting fires and all."
She caught motion out of the corner of her eye. She turned to see Mary Alice handing her a piece of paper. She took it and read it.
Don't be a Bitch.
She waved her had at her Grandmother.
Kelly was taken aback by her last comment. He wasn't sure if it was veiled sarcasm, but he knew it was the truth. He hadn't called because she wasn't playing nice. She was supposed to invite him in after the Cubs game, or after dinner. They were supposed to have had a night or two of wild, passionate sex. She didn't even let him know that she was interested. Yet, here he was calling to try to set up another date.
"Look, if you don't want to see me anymore, just tell me and I'll leave you alone."
"I didn't say that. I said I wasn't expecting your call."
"So, you don't want to help me fix a boat?"
"Of course I'll help you fix a boat."
"Great. I'm off shift tomorrow morning. Want to grab some breakfast and work on it after?"
"I can do that. I'm in between repairs."
"Ok then. I'll call you tomorrow?"
"Sounds good."
He started to say something else, but before he could, he heard the tones drop. "Look, I gotta go. I have a call. Talk to you soon," he said hurriedly before disconnecting.
Parker disconnected and tossed her phone on the table. She noticed Mary Alice was practically jumping out of her seat.
"He got a call," she said.
"So he called to help you fix a boat?"
"Yep."
"Well, he knows a good mechanic when he sees one."
"He's a mechanic too, Grandma."
"So you think fixing the boat is just a ruse to see you?"
"I don't know," she admitted as she picked up her coffee and took a sip. "I really don't know what goes on in Kelly Severide's mind."
She finished her breakfast and her coffee, then rose and stacked her dishes in the dishwasher. She gave Mary Alice a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I have to go. Gotta go be Marian the Librarian today."
"So when are you fixing the boat?"
"Tomorrow sometime."
"You coming over to watch the game tonight?"
"Of course. I'll bring dinner."
"You should bring your Fireman."
"He's on shift, Grandma. They work 24 on and 48 off."
"Oh well, can't have everything."
"I'll see you tonight. Call me later and let me know what you want for dinner."
"I will, Honey. Have a good day."