When Roses Collide

Chapter Fifty-Six

"I'm sorry, Harley, but I have to agree with Travis on this one," Becca said, tossing her blonde curls over her shoulder in a huff. "I don't know why you keep insisting on trying to break your neck on those...those...things!"

Desi snorted loudly. "Wow. Better watch out, Harley. Becca is bringing out the strong language."

"Shut up." She quirked her lips, sticking her tongue out at Desi before turning her pleading baby blues back in Harley's direction. "Don't get me wrong. It was horrible that you got hurt and everything, but I am kind of glad that stupid bike of yours is sitting in a junkyard rusting somewhere."

Harley sipped her lime-flavored Diet Coke avoiding her hound dog gaze of her friend. "Technically...it's in the barn," she mumbled.

"The one that burnt?" she asked.

Frowning at the hopeful tone of her voice, Harley shook her head. "No, one of the other ones."

"Why would you keep it?" she sputtered.

"Parts," Harley answered simply, turning to face Becca's disapproving stare. They regarded each other in a kind of silent face-off, each refusing to blink. She loved her friend dearly, but when it came to this, she was not about to give in. Not to her, and not to Travis. Not to anyone.

"What would you need parts for?" Becca eyed her suspiciously, her lips thinning to a tight line.

"Because I have a new one being shipped out in a few weeks."

"Why!" Becca threw her hands up in the air in exasperation. "Why do you insist on riding something that could get you killed?"

"She rides it because it's sexy as hell," Desi interrupted, looking at her black painted nails and frowning at the small chip on her thumb. "Besides, have you ever heard that thing? The sound of it makes me want to drop my panties."

Diet Coke spewed out of Harley's mouth and across the porch while bubbles burned up her nose.

Desi twisted her way, raising a disgruntled pierced brow. "Do you need a bib?" Shaking her head, she went back to examining her fingertips. "I would have thought Travis would have helped you with those swallowing lessons by now." She grunted a dry laugh. "What a slacker."

Becca giggled. "I don't think he's a slacker. Maybe she has him too busy paying lip service somewhere else?"

Desi gasped, her black lined lips falling open in utter shock. "Did little Miss Priss just say something completely inappropriate?"

Becca shrugged a shoulder, giving them a self-satisfied smirk. "Your corrupt way of thinking is starting to rub off on me."

"It's about fucking time," Desi drawled. "Hanging out with you sometimes is like chilling with a pack of nuns." Before Becca could reply, she snatched the binoculars sitting on the table between them. "There they are!" Bringing the lenses up to her eyes, a smile stretched her lips. "Well, hello there big boys," she purred. "There's just something about a cowboy in tight jeans, and nothing else that makes my damn day brighter."

"I want to see!" Becca leaned over and grabbed the binoculars out of Desi's hands, almost strangling her with the strap in the process.

Desi held on tight while batting her hands away. "Five-minute rule, remember?"

Becca made a disgruntled noise in the back of her throat, crossing her arms over her chest. "It's not fair. Harley's got a man worshipping the ground she walks on, and you're married to one who mistakenly thinks the sun rises and sets on your butt. I'm the only one who is single. I should get first dibs. Besides, they are my binoculars."