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," Corley

sigh of relief.

against Corley's, but she didn't think

eyes tightened slightly, but he

pointed awkwardly at the other

I look

shook her head. "No, but you're my bro. You said it yourself, if I

left Corley at a loss

Brother, my ass!

losing it. No matter what she called him, when it came from her,

plants, she hadn't thought much of it, but now, lugging them all inside, Roseanne realized

to fetch the watering can when Corley noted, got some

t belongs to swich

Roseanne asked, "Here?"

face."

a tissue and stepping forward

stepped back, retrieving a small mirror from a drawer

so, "Why make it so complicated? This is much

retracted his hand, suppressing the turmoil in his eyes, and

said,

the end of

Murray hadn't left.

for half an

had played out in his

he fought the urge

Corley stay the

"cohabitation" flashed through his mind, and his heart

when he was on the brink of despair, he saw Corley

tension in his heart eased;