It only takes eight minutes to finish. I clean and bandage her, go through my aftercare routine, take her to the register.
She throws her arms around me. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."
The boyfriend shoots me a friendly nod. "Thanks for taking care of her." He offers his hand.
I shake. "Just doing my job." I motion to Leighton, standing behind the counter. "Will you get them some A+D ointment?"
"Sure. But you should—" She motions to Walker, leaning against the wall, staring at me like he's thinking about how he's gonna deck me.
On anyone else, that expression would be you're mildly annoying. But Walker never shows that he's pissed. Or hurt. Or annoyed even.
That look might be I'm gonna kill you.
He waits until the clients are out the door to approach me.
His eyes narrow.
His voice drops to a threatening tone. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"
"A lot. You need to be more specific," I say.
Leighton clears her throat. "We have customers."
Walker shakes his head I don't care. "What the fuck is this?" He shows off his cell. With a text from Emma.
Emma: Kaylee said Brendon ended things.
"And?" I press my lips together. I'm not defending my decision to him. Or to anyone.
"What the fuck, Brendon?"
"Not a question."
"Is Em talking to Kay now?"
"No. Just fielding texts. She said she sent something to you. But you know that."
Fuck. My stomach drops. "No. My phone is charging in the office."
Leighton clears her throat. Nods to the short guy waiting in the lobby.
Walker ignores her. Continues staring at me like I'm the devil.
He's probably right.
But I'm finally fixing that.
"That's not an explanation." He stares back at me. "I'm not going to watch while you throw away the only person who makes you happy."
Leighton joins his glaring. "You really dumped her?"
"Yeah. And I don't see how it's your business," I say.
"You're my friend, you idiot. And she is too." She runs a hand through her short hair. "I don't get it. You pine for her for months. She follows you around like a lovesick puppy. You finally have her, and you're both happy. Then, what, you dump her because you're bored of her?"
"No." It's not even close to that.
"What reason could you possibly have for leaving Kay?" Leighton asks. "You're worse than my ex."