“It’s my own little rebellion,” Kimber said flatly. “I thought you of all people would be proud.”

It sounded and felt like a dig. “What are you rebelling against?”

Kimber blew out a stream of smoke into the night air. “Does it matter?”

“Of course it does. If it’s a good cause, I’ll join the rebellion.”

Her sister’s laugh was dry. “That’s the last thing I need.”

Remi took a breath and tried to focus on what lay behind her sister’s words. “Are you and Kyle okay?” she asked.

“Define okay. Yes, we’re still married. No, he didn’t come home for Ian’s Media Club Awards at the school tonight because it was easier to stay another night instead of seeing his kids and commuting in the morning.”

Remi winced. “Does he do that often?”

She ignored the question. “You know what he did have time for? To ask me if everything was okay with you. Apparently you called him looking for some vague legal advice, and now he’s worried you’re in trouble.”

“It’s nothing,” Remi said quickly.

“Nothing? Do you know what it would take for my husband to remember that I exist in any capacity beyond folder of laundry and raiser of children?” Kimber’s voice rose shrilly.

Remi decided to stay quiet. She was no stranger to emotional volcanic activity. But this was her first time witnessing her big sister lose her cool.

“Since Kyle’s concerned. And Mom and Dad are concerned. Why don’t we talk about you? How’s your life, Remi? How’s your asthma?”

“I’d rather talk about you.”

“Really? I thought you only thrived with all the attention in the room on you.” A tiny tear tracked its way down her sister’s cheek.

“Okay,” Remi said, taking a step back. “You’re obviously going through some tough things. I should go.”

“What’s it like being fascinating? No one’s found me interesting, let alone fascinating, since before I had kids,” Kimber mused. “Maybe never.”

Remi started for the gate. “Call me later.”

“You and your technicolor brain and your deficient lungs and your whole ‘watch me get in trouble’ without consequences. How do you do it, Rem?”

“Do what?” Remi asked, feeling tired and sad.

“Ever since we were kids, you just sucked all the attention out of the room.”

Remi closed her eyes and absorbed the blow.

“I mean, I don’t begrudge you your ‘special sparkle,’ but I get why Audrey married Brick.” Kimber’s laugh was humorless.

Remi’s head was spinning at the unexpected attack. “What does one have to do with the other?”

“She took something you couldn’t have. You could charm your way into getting anything. Except Brick. Who could blame Audrey for taking something that you wanted? At least she got to feel as if she was just as good as you.”

Remi was stunned into silence.

“Haven’t you ever noticed? Standing next to you makes everyone else invisible. You know what happens when someone like you lights up the room? It makes the rest of us dimmer. And I know it’s not your fault. And I still love you because it’s impossible not to love you, though frankly, that pisses me off, too.”