This is a short one, but I hope you all like it! I'm working on a longer update that I'm hoping to post tomorrow afternoon! Stay tuned, and as always, THANKS!!!!
* * * * CHAPTER FOURTEEN * * * *
Unfortunately, the slowing of time only applied to Derek and Dominick’s drive up to Brooklyn. It felt like their last weekend together vanished before their eyes. Dominick took one last deep breath of the New York air as he stepped out onto the sidewalk of the airport.
Derek quickly exited the vehicle as well, coming around to hug Dominick. The security officers darted toward them, reminding Derek sternly that there was no parking allowed. Derek ignored them and embraced Dominick for a solid minute. It wasn’t until the security officers were in arms reach of them that Derek let go.
“Please call me when you get home safely!” Derek instructed.
“I will.” Dominick promised.
The view of the city lights as the plane departed made Dominick’s stomach sink. He didn’t have the urge to cry this time. He had been bracing himself for this moment so much that he was practically numb.
“Back to real life…” Dominick told himself as the plane touched down hours later. As soon as he turned his phone back on, he received a text message from Derek.
Derek: Make it home safe?
Dominick: Yep!
Derek: You didn’t call me, jerk!
Dominick: I just landed! Sheesh! What are you doing up so late? Don’t you work tomorrow?
Derek: Yeah. I just wanted to make sure you made it home in one piece. Sooo… Brooklyn move??

Dominick: I’m scared!
Derek: Don’t be.
Dominick didn’t know how to respond. What he wanted and what he thought was right weren’t the same. As much as the fantasy of him and Derek excited him, it was just that: A fantasy.
He couldn’t picture life going back to normal, though. Could he just fall back into the same old routine? The same people and places every day? Not without feeling just as dead as he did before Derek stepped into the picture.
The next morning Dominick texted Derek as soon as he woke up.
Dominick: Hey, can you call me when you get a minute?
Derek: Sure. Everything okay?
Dominick: Everything is perfect.

Derek: Okay! I’m taking lunch in a couple hours. I’ll call you then.
Derek called as soon as he stepped out for lunch.
“Hello, darling.” Derek greeted Dominick with a silly tone.
“You’re a dork!” Dominick laughed, “So, uh… I have some good news.”
“What ever could it be?” Derek pretended to be in suspense.
“I’m looking for jobs in Brooklyn!” Dominick announced.
“I knew you’d love it! Are you as excited as I am??” Derek asked, the excitement ringing in his voice.
“Yeah! I have to admit, I’m a little nervous still. But I’m really excited, too.” Dominick assured.
“Well we’ll go over the details this weekend, okay? Everything will work out, I promise!” Derek guaranteed.
“Okay, I’ll talk to you then!” Dominick answered.
“I’d like to think I’d hear from you before then!” Derek laughed.
“Of course! I’ll text you right now, in fact.”
“Good. I’ll talk to you soon, then.”
“Alright. Have a good three minutes until my text arrives!” Dominick joked.
“You too!”
“Byyyyye!” Dominick almost sang. He took the phone away from his ear and almost hit the “End” button, but heard something else from the speaker.
“Sorry, what was that?” Dominick asked.
“Sorry, that was probably random. I, uh… I said I love you.” Derek stuttered.
“I love you, too.”
To be continued...