Page 68 of Smooth Moves
Unfortunately, Maria overheard. “That’s the problem, right there. No respect for your family.”
“Mom,” Jordan said, trying to deflect the negative attention. “Rafi is going to classes and doing his best. And that’s not easy.” Not when you were a rebellious teenager.
“You should be more like your sister,” Carl said.
“Which one?” Rafi gave them an innocent smile. “The hardass Army cop or the blond angel sleeping her way to a Fortune 500 win with Troy? And, dude, are your teeth naturally that white? Because I don’t think so. Go easy next time on the bleach.”
“Rafi.” Leanne scowled at him. “Tell Troy you’re sorry.”
Troy covered her hand. “It’s okay, honey. I remember being wild during my teen years.” He smiled, and damn if Rafi hadn’t nailed it. Those teeth were blinding. “It was all my parents could do to settle me down. I almost attended Berkeley.” He laughed. “Imagine not going to Stanford.”
Since Carl had also attended that prestigious university, he laughed. “What a disaster.”
Jordan made a face her mother saw.
“Problem?”
“Well, yeah. Who cares what college you go to as long as you try your best? And, you know, college isn’t for everyone.” Jordan knew she sounded defensive, but her argument was on Rafi’s behalf, not necessarily her own.
“College actually does serve a purpose, Jordan.” Carl sounded apologetic at least. “Sorry, but it’s true.”
“Only in certain fields,” Jordan argued. “I get it if you’re in business, becoming a lawyer or doctor.”
“And even in the literary and academic worlds.” Leanne nodded. “I mean, the fact I went to Princeton was huge in getting me my first job withThe New YorkerthenGranta. I was lucky to make connections, which led to this huge step up editing atFemme Moderne.”
“But that’s not for everyone.” Cash and Reid hadn’t gone to business school, and they were doing well. Maybe not well, but making a decent wage to be proud of. “And, heck, Mom doesn’t even work.”
“But I did work when you were younger,” her mother pointed out. “I went to college and got my degree. The only reason I didn’t use it much was because I had you guys to raise.”
“And you still have Rafi in high school,” Jordan reminded her, wishing she’d kept her mouth shut. The picnic had been going so well. Good food and her parents had been nice. Leanne had been annoying, but Jordan chalked up her own animosity to feelings of jealousy and not liking Troy, not that Leanne had put a foot wrong.
Rafi tensed. “You sick of me? Is this you trying to get rid of me too?”
“What? No.” Jordan wrapped an arm around him, waiting for him to squirm free. But he didn’t. “I love having you with me. I think you’re going to do great, just as soon as we get you through this summer.”Don’t do it, Jordan. This isn’t the time to confront Mom and Dad.
Troy opened his fat mouth. “You know, it’s common for teenagers to have issues at their age. We all have problems. We just have to muddle through them on our own.”
Leanne nodded. “I did. I had a horrible time in AP Chemistry, but I made study friends and got through.”
“Jesus, Leanne. This isn’t about you or Mr. White Teeth.” Hell. Jordan hadn’t meant to let that slip.
Troy’s eyes narrowed.
Yeah, he must have sensed she didn’t like him before because she’d always done her best not to talk to him. But Jordan had been more circumspect about keeping her distance.
“Jordan.” Maria gaped. “That’s just rude.”
Carl glared. “Apologize to Troy.” He turned to Troy before she could get a word out. “I’m so sorry, Troy. That was uncalled for.”
Leanne leaned against him. “Totally uncalled for. My fiancé has done nothing to provoke this attack but be nice.” Her eyes welled.
Terrific. Saint Leanne was upset. But, hey, she’d said “fiancé.” The drinking game commenced once more; Jordan took another sip.
Heck, might as well get it all off my chest.“Sorry, Troy. It’s not your fault my parents are ignoring their kid.” Next to her, Rafi gripped her knee. In support, she hoped, because he hadn’t moved out from under her arm. “You guys did the same thing to me when I was younger. I’m not sure why it’s acceptable in this family to let young people with problems handle it themselves. I got by. I’m still not sure how. But you would have kicked me out if I hadn’t joined the service at eighteen.”
Her mother nodded. “And look where you are now. You’re independent, smart, and living on your own.”
“But Rafi isn’t me. He’s not Leanne—who you paid for to go to school, I might add.”
