Red Flag

Chapter fifty-one

When Ryan woke up Matt wasn't in bed with her, he had been having a busy couple of days since they had arrived back from Texas. It didn't bother her but it did feel a little weird not to wake up with a heavy arm on her rib cage, making it hard to breath.

She did her morning routine like she usually would, leaving breakfast for last so she could accompany Matt on that part. The 21 year old was soundly asleep on their couch when she checked. Feeling the familiar strong smell coming from the bathroom she decided to clean Salem's litter box, which was full of hidden surprises.

"I truly believe your cat has stomach problems" Matt's voice made her turn around.

"I certainly don't think it's normal for a cat to poop this much..but it's the first time I've ever had a cat so.." Ryan shrugged at the young man.

"Shouldn't you be at work?" The blue eyed boy asked "..Sorry, that came out really mean.." he added, covering his mouth with his hand.

"Tuesdays are my day off" she explained shortly while tying a knot on the bag full of Salem's litter "Which feels weird cause back in Chicago it was Wednesdays..having a free day in the middle of the week is fine but Tuesday? The week just started.." she told him as they walked out of the bathroom.

"Do you miss Chicago?" Matt asked, sitting at the bench.

"I haven't really thought about it til yesterday" she nodded "Obviously it's not the state I miss but the people I met there" Ryan said.

"Is there someone you miss the most?" The 20 year old asked.

"Like...five people.." she chuckled "The was another Matt in my life before you and Steven" She started "Matt Casey. He was my Captain, really nice guy, but if you were on his wrong side you were fucked. I've seen him beat the shit out of people just cause they looked at him the wrong way" she said "Then there's Kelly Severide, my Liutenant. He taught me everything I know about being a firefighter. Stella Kidd, she trained me and she's one of the best friends you could ever ask for" She told Matt.

"That's three, where are the other two?" The boy asked.

"I met my first boyfriend ever in Chicago. Detective Jay Halstead" she said with a dumb smile on her face.

"You were a virgin when you went of to college?" Matt asked surprised.

"I said first boyfriend not partner" she shook her head "I had a girlfriend back in high school but that wasn't really that special. I don't know if you've ever felt like this about a person but there was this feeling in the back of my head whenever I was with Jay that he wouldn't let anything bad happen to me. I knew it for a fact, I still do. Jay Halstead was the first person ever that made me feel that way, then came Matt and that same sensation came back" She told the younger boy.

"Is that the guy you and Matt were talking about yesterday?" The Sturniolo asked.

"Mhmm" Ryan nodded "Matt's very nosy like that, kinda hypocritical from him cause then he gets mad when people ask him about his personal life, but I don't mind. Jay will always be a part of my life and I'm proud about that" She added.

"So romantic" Matt rolled his eyes "But I'm still missing one" the boy rose an eyebrow at his older friend.

"Uhm....I guess...I'd have to say Sargent Voight.." she scrunched her nose, feeling bad for not putting her Chief in that list but she was just speaking from her heart.

"I didn't know firefighters had Sargents" Matt said, confused.

"We don't. Hank is Halstead's boss, not mine." She smiled at him.