Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The glare in his eyes was like a sharp sting as he watched Corley's back retreating. Bam! He slammed his fist against the steering wheel.

Oh, how he wanted to jump out, grab the guy by his collar, and give him a real thrashing.

But then he hesitated-

What right did he have to lash out?

An ex-boyfriend who couldn't let go?

Or a once-upon-a-time best buddy?

He let out a bitter chuckle, realizing he could only stand there in silence, watching them disappear upstairs.

...

With the delivery done, Corley was about to leave.

Roseanne came from the living room with a glass of water, offering it to him. "Thanks, man, have a drink before you go."

Corley looked up at her, his voice hoarse, "Sure."

Roseanne started tidying the place, planning to sort everything properly the next day.

Just then, a loud crash echoed as the wind picked up, slamming the balcony door she had forgotten to close earlier.

Remembering the plants on the balcony, she worried that if the wind knocked them off, someone might get hurt.

So, she paused what she was doing and hurried to move the plants inside.

One of the pots was particularly heavy, and after several attempts, she couldn't budge it.

At that moment, a pair of hands reached over, gripping the base, and effortlessly lifted it up.

it,"

breathed a sigh of relief.

hands, they accidentally brushed against Corley's, but

eyes tightened slightly, but he showed

Roseanne pointed awkwardly at the

"Do I look like a moving

head. "No, but you're my bro. You said it yourself,

left Corley at a

Brother, my ass!

thought he was losing it. No matter what she called him, when it came from her, it just sounded so darn

to the plants, she hadn't thought much of it,

about to fetch the watering can when Corley noted, got some

t belongs to swich

Roseanne asked, "Here?"

face."

out a tissue and stepping forward to help

a drawer and using a tissue to

did so, "Why make it so

his eyes, and chuckled softly. "If there's nothing

Roseanne said, watching

end of

Murray hadn't left.

car for half

scenario had played out in

the seventh-floor window light up, he fought the urge to

Corley stay the

through his mind, and his heart ached with

was on the brink of despair, he

the tension in his heart eased; relief flooded