Walker looks to me. Offers that same you ready? look.
Fuck, I must look as nervous as I feel.
I nod to him then turn back to Kay. "You've got this."
Still, she keeps her eyes closed.
She takes another deep breath. Another slow exhale.
"This is what it feels like." Walker brings the needle to her skin.
She mutters a curse. Squeezes my hand.
"You okay to start?" he asks.
"Stop asking. You're making me lose my nerve." She takes a shaky breath. "Just do it."
He chuckles. "On three."
She nods.
"One, two, three—"
She squeezes my hand as the needle hits her skin. Her eyes stay closed. Her lips stay pressed together.
"Breathe." I rub her hand with my thumb.
She nods as she sucks in a deep breath. Lets out a heavy exhale.
Her grip on my hand tightens.
Fuck, I'm too nervous to do my job properly. I'm supposed to keep her mind occupied. "Emma said she redecorated your place."
"Yeah." Kaylee's exhale is heavy with relief. She must need the distraction. "Mostly her room. She put up a bunch of new pictures of hot guys. She says you have to visualize what you want so the universe can bring it to you."
"You believe that?" I ask.
She grunts as Walker moves onto the second word. "Um. Well, sorta. I mean, if you don't know what you want, how are you going to get it? Besides, it's not just hot guys. She has all sorts of stuff about fashion. And she has those business text books everywhere. I think I talked her into summer school."
"Yeah?" I ask.
"I'm pretty sure she already signed up. I've been really distracted studying for finals." She squeezes my hand.
"Did she change the main room?" I ask.
"You haven't seen it? It's all ocean themed. Teal, turquoise, sand, coral, paintings of mermaids," she says. "That will be my next one. The mermaid. Do you still have the art?"
"Of course." My chest fills with pride. She's only halfway through this tattoo and she's already desperate for another.
She grunts as Walker moves onto the third word. It's right over her rib bones. That's tender skin. It hurts like a bitch.
"These paintings any good?" I ask.
"Some of them. Some are... not up to Brendon standards." She laughs. "Emma was bragging about how you'll hate them."
"You like living with her?"
"Yeah. She's my best friend. Don't get me wrong." She pauses. Grits her teeth. "I want to live with you one day. I kinda hate you and my mom for your little not until I graduate agreement. But I... I understand why she's insisting. And why you agreed."