ears married to Ethan, country-rock' s newest sensation, and no one knew. Tonight was supposed to be ou

desperation. My stepsister, Jessica, preened in front of a cracked mirror,

d fetch me a water?" Jessic

his arm around her shoulder, a look of profound sym

red, loud enough for me to hear. "Th

ed for Ethan on our battered apartment piano, dreaming it would

told Ethan. A rare, aggressive heart condition, she' d whis

ukemia. Aggressive. Months, not years. I clutched t

alled, pulling me from my thoughts. "Jes

g into Ethan. "My heart, you k

udget music video. A ring of fire, her standing

w," I started. "It

st chance. Can' t you do this one thing for her?" His voice was low, urgent, th

ech, a guy who looked barely out of his teens, assured

a small, triumphant smile when Ethan wasn' t looking. My stomach

said, his hand on my ar

nto my bones. I stepped into the chalk

?" he

shaky t

ssed a

by the inferno. Pain, searing and absolute, shot up my legs as I stumbled backward, trying to escape, my clothes catchi

kne