Page 30 of Rules of Engagement

Jocko

Jorja's laughing as her phone is passed around. She narrates what's happening at the time the video was shot. “Lucifer was so excited when he heard Jocko coming back. His whole body was wiggling, but he stayed right there until Jocko called him.” She glances at me, and our eyes lock. For a second, my world stops spinning. Her look says, ‘I’m your girl.’ Then she's laughing with Luke and agreeing Lucifer has ‘happy feet.’

I pull my phone out to check the time. It is 9:30. If the party hasn’t broken up by 10:00, I’m faking fatigue.

Chief brings a beer. “The world has righted itself, hasn’t it?”

“Yes, sir. It has.”

“I trust you won’t let her off the hook.”

“I don’t intend to.”

“Good. I'll leave you to it, but if you run into a situation you need advice on, don’t hesitate to ask.”

I take a draw on the beer. “I appreciate that. I’m formulating my rules of engagement now.”

He claps me on the back. “Don’t take no for an answer.”

“I won’t.”

Aunt Betsy joins us, sliding her arm around my waist. “It’s good to have you home, Jocko.”

“Yes, ma’am. It's good to be home. Thank you for dinner.”

She squeezes my waist. “Just tell me it was delicious.”

Chief and I chuckle. “It was delicious. Better than I remember.”

She smiles, then nods toward Jorja. “That sweet girl didn’t date after you left.”

I smile, looking at Jorja. Her hair floats as she talks with her hands. “I know.”

“Your goodbye was the talk of the town for months.”

Chief scolds her. “Betsy, the boy hasn’t been home a week. Don’t start in on him.”

She cuts her eyes at Chief, then tells me as she rubs my back, “You pick up right where you left off. She's been waiting for you.”

Chief takes her shoulders, steering her away, giving her down the road about my not needing her matchmaking skills.

Grayson and Sidney walk over. He holds out my truck keys. “We brought your truck from the airport.”

“Thanks.” I take them and stuff them in my pocket.

“I was just telling Grayson that now he knows why I picked Jorja to tell your story for the magazine. She has a way with words that make a story come alive. She's a talented writer.”

Grayson defends himself. “I accused her of setting you two up when she asked if they could go on the rescue.”

“Ah…. Well, thanks for assigning her regardless of the reason.”

She smiles. “You’re welcome. It’s nice to finally meet you. I've heard some wi… wonderful things about you.”

I laugh. “I bet you heard some wild things too.”

“Some raised the hair on my head.”

Grayson butts in. “Listen, cuz, we need a favor.”

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