Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Murray's fist brushed past Corley's cheekbone with a dull thud.

As Murray raised his fist for a second blow, Corley grabbed his collar, yanked hard, and nearly knocked him down.

Corley took the opportunity to step back and create some distance.

"Damn," he muttered, touching the sore spot on his cheekbone.

"Murray, have you lost your mind?!"

"You're asking for it!"

Corley smirked, seeing Murray grinding his teeth in rage. Understanding the cause, his smirk widened even more. "Saw everything, did you?" Murray raised his fist again, his eyes bloodshot with anger.

"What? Can't handle it? You know, scenes like this will happen over and over, even bigger than this. What's your plan? Hit me every time you see me?"

"But what's the point? Does hitting me stop anything from happening?"

Murray's chest heaved with suppressed rage. If looks could kill, Corley would have been dead a thousand times over.

Suddenly calming down, Murray asked, "So, Roseanne agreed to be with you?"

Corley's smile faltered.

Murray's turn to laugh. "Seems she hasn't. You couldn't win

skirting around, Corley. What's there for you to boast about? Happy with someone else's leftovers? Can't afford anything new, or just prefer hand-me-downs?" Corley's smile vanished, and he stepped forward, grabbing Murray by the collar. "Say that again,

"Am I wrong?"

But keep her out of this-don't insult a woman who devoted

lips. "Admit it, you're just jealous. Jealous that I had her for

of a

looking straight at him,

feel sorry for her, Toved a piece of

you."

punched Murray right on

was

"And this one, is me returning the favor." "Murray, you're asking for

back, and under the dim streetlight, in the secluded alley, two men in suits traded blows, fists

bore

Until-

knew this was going to blow

to kill each other at

rushed forward, grabbing one man in each hand, forcibly separating

"Murray, Corley, cool

"I'll kill him