Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
During taxi out in DTW on Runway 22L; we had a readback misinterpretation with DTW Tower. The CA and I were next in line for takeoff for the runway; and I heard a clearance from Tower 'Aircraft X line up and wait.' I repeated the clearance and the Captain and I agreed we were cleared into position. Around the exact same time of us crossing the runway hold line another aircraft on the field reported a coyote running toward the active runway. Once the Tower had completed the coyote call he asked who was holding in position. I stated 'Aircraft X.' The Controller then stated 'I didn't clear Aircraft X.  Aircraft Y verify number one holding short the runway.' Aircraft Y confirmed he was number one. We were then cleared for takeoff and continued with the flight. When we were handed off to Cleveland Departure they gave us the DTW Tower phone number to call. We continued onto ZZZ normally and called when we secured the aircraft at the gate. When we called the DTW Tower phone number; the Controller who was working ground answered our call.  He stated 'I was working ground at the time and I dropped your strip and got the flights out of order.' He additionally added he did not think the Supervisor would pull the tapes and review this as there was (a direct quote) 'No runway incursion.'We could have verified with Tower we were cleared into position. However; we did read the clearance back and received no clarification or corrections. The Controller was also dealing with the coyote and was possibly distracted and when he looked up to the runway expecting to see a [medium large transport] he saw us. With the distractions adding up we could have been more proactive.
Pilot reports of Control Tower advising they were not told to LUAW; when the pilot read it back and heard nothing in return from the Tower.