know the details of her and Jack’s relationship. “Amazing. And that’s all I’m saying on the matter.”
Nina ignored Emma’s attempt to cut the topic off. “And when is it happening again?”
Emma shook her head. “I don’t know.”
She pulled her cell phone out and checked the screen. No messages from Jack yet at almost ten a.m. She knew he was an early riser. Maybe he’d awoken with regrets. Maybe she and Jack weren’t happening again.
* * *
Jack stepped out of his truck. After driving for two hours to see his sister, his legs were stiff. He stretched and then twisted at his waist a couple times before sliding his sunglasses over his eyes and heading toward the Whispering Pines Addiction Management Facility. He’d spoken to Amanda on the phone, but he hadn’t seen her since he’d come to get Sam.
She was doing well, but what he had come to tell her might send her on a backslide. She didn’t want Sam to know about her struggles, and even though Jack had promised to keep her secrets safe, he’d told them anyway. Some at least.
Jack didn’t really feel like he had much of a choice. Sam knew something was up, and it was also the right thing to do. Knowing your family history helped you make better choices in life. Jack had made better choices than his father. Amanda was making better choices too. Jack was proud of her for knowing when to ask for help. Hopefully she wouldn’t be disappointed in him right now.
He stepped inside the air-conditioned building and spoke to the receptionist. “I’m here to see Amanda Hershey. I’m Jack Hershey, her brother.”
The receptionist nodded with a smile and then picked up the phone, speaking to someone on the other end of the line. After hanging up, she pointed at the double doors down the hall. “They’ll buzz you in, sir. Have a nice visit.”
“Thanks.”
As he stood in front of the doors, his heart sped up and irrational fears of getting locked inside swirled through his mind. Maybe someone would decide he was a ticking time bomb and lock him in a room and throw away the key.
The door opened, and Jack forced his feet forward. He found Amanda sitting at a table in a small community room inside the facility. She glanced up at him with a bright smile that touched her eyes. She looked so much better than when he’d last seen her.
“Hey, Jack,” she said. “I didn’t know you were coming to see me today.”
Jack sat down across from her. “I’m sorry. I should’ve brought you something, huh? A candy bar or a magazine.”
Amanda laughed. “This isn’t prison. I have access to those things if I want them. And just seeing you is treat enough. How’s Sam?” she asked, cutting to the chase. She was a mother, and that was her top priority.
“Good. He’s working with Emma at the café today.”
Amanda’s smile grew even bigger. “That’s great. He’s getting a lot of job experience this summer. That’s good for him.”
Jack nodded in agreement. “I think so too. And he’s a really hard worker once you pry him from his phone.”
“Oh, I know all about competing with the screen.”
“He’s made friends, and I think he’s happy…” Jack hesitated, wondering if it was best to just jump in on what he came here to say.
“You look happy too,” Amanda said before he could say anything more. “Things must be going pretty well between you and Emma.”
Jack nodded. “Amanda, Emma and I have always been friends. She was only with me that night in the truck as a friend, and I let you believe we were dating because it seemed to offer you some kind of hope for yourself.”
Amanda’s smile fell. “What?”
“Then we pretended for Sam so he wouldn’t tell you.” Jack ran a hand through his hair, knocking the sunglasses off the top of his head. He bent to pick them up, realizing that his hands were shaking. He took a deep breath as he straightened and looked at Amanda. “But while we were pretending, this thing between us became real. So I guess I should thank you because Emma and I are actually dating now.”
“You lied to me?” Amanda asked, her expression unreadable.
“Kind of. Yeah, I’m sorry.”
She exhaled softly. “You lied to me because you wanted to protect me just like you’ve always done. My overprotective brother.”
“You’re not mad?” he asked, relief flooding through him.
“No. I think it’s funny actually. You didn’t have to fake a relationship