Page 96 of False Confidence

“Oh, what a headache that’s been,” her mom said, taking the barstool beside Maggie.

“And to find out from Lynda Sims, of all people,” her dad chimed in.

“Ugh, she’s awful. I don’t know what Kami was thinking marrying into that family. Between us, I think Lynda was more concerned with Rose being a lesbian, which is a little ironic considering she claims to be an ally on Facebook every June. Really it’s a?—”

“We’re not here to talk about Lynda Sims, Mom,” Jazz interrupted. Once her mom started gossiping, she’d never stop. “Rose.”

“Rose, yes. Do you think you can talk some sense into her? She’s throwing her life away, Jazz, and we don’t want her to end up like you.”

Maggie put her coffee glass down hard on the island. “And what exactly is that supposed to mean?”

“Maggie—”

“No, I’m really interested to hear what you mean by that, Alexander.” Maggie had known Jazz’s parents for twenty years, but it was the first time she’d ever made her feelings about them clear to their faces. Gone was the people pleaser who treated keeping the peace like an art form. Jazz’s heart swelled with pride.

Shit, maybe therapy did work. But she could circle back to that when she wasn’t having the longest Monday of her life.

Jazz’s dad pursed his lips, his eyes flashing with surprise. “All I mean is that Rose is supposed to be a doctor. That doesn’t mean Jazz’s job isn’t… good.”

Maggie opened her mouth but closed it when Jazz shot her a leave it look. “That’s not important right now. What’s important is that Rose is happy, and she wasn’t happy in med school.”

“No one’s happy in med school,” her mom said with a laugh. “But she would’ve been happy with the title and the paycheck once she got there.”

“Maybe. In a decade,” Jazz reasoned. “But she has a job she loves and she’s happy now. Why can’t that be enough for you?”

“Well, it’s not exactly what we expected for?—”

“That’s the problem!” Jazz interrupted her dad, pushing back from the island. “Look, I don’t want to fight with you about this. I brought Maggie here so you could see what’s going to happen if you don’t apologize to Rose and do everything you can to fix this with her.”

Her parents frowned at her and Maggie. “What are you talking about? Maggie’s doing great.”

Maggie cleared her throat. “I’ve barely spoken to my family in two years, and we’ve been completely no contact since February.”

Jazz’s parents stared at Maggie in wide-eyed surprise. Her dad recovered first. “Good for you, Maggie. I hope you don’t mind me saying, but your parents were terrible to you.”

“I don’t mind. It’s true,” Maggie said with a shrug. “But also, pot kettle.” She gestured to Jazz’s mom and dad. Really, it was as civil as she could expect her to be.

“I think what Maggie means is that you’re going to be in the same situation with Rose if you don’t undo this.”

Her parents exchanged a concerned look. “You really think Rose would go no contact with us?”

“Yeah, I do. Is her not having a stupid title in front of her name worth you losing her?”

“Of course not,” her mom said instantly. “But we just want the best for her.”

Maggie raised a brow. “And kicking her out is what’s best for her?”

“We didn’t think she’d actually go. We just thought it would be enough to make her see sense.” Her mom’s cheeks turned pink, something akin to shame flickering in her hazel eyes. Jazz blinked, and it was gone.

“I can’t tell you what to do here, but you are going to lose her if you’re not careful. And do you think Xan will be okay with you treating his baby sister like this? You know how close they are.” Jazz sighed, balling her hands into fists and releasing them.

“I figured out a long time ago that I don’t fit into this family, and I’m working on making my peace with the fact that I’m not the daughter you wanted, but Rose is only twenty-five. You have a chance to fix this before you really mess her up. That’s all I wanted to say. Let’s get Rose’s stuff and go, Maggie.”

She turned away and heard Maggie’s footsteps following behind her, heading up the stairs. Rose’s room was mostly empty, and Jazz and Maggie grabbed the leftover bags and boxes with ease. She breathed a sigh of relief when they made it outside, filling the trunk with Rose’s stuff—she was so ready to get out of there.

Jazz had done what she’d come to do. It was up to her parents now. Either way, Rose wouldn’t have to deal with it alone. They’d wasted enough time letting their parents pit them against each other, and Jazz knew Xan would feel the same once he knew what had happened. Enough was en?—

“Jazz, wait a second.”

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