Date: Sat, 8 Apr 2017 20:31:28 -0500
From: D B <donbon@gmail.com>
Subject: The Journey of a Lonely Heart - Part 4

The Journey of a Lonely Heart, Part 4 by DGB

This story is a product of my imagination, under my copyright, so no
reposting/publishing without my consent.  Hell has a special place for
copyright violators. If you are not of legal age or somewhere in which this
document is illegal, stop reading and think about what you've accessed.

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If you enjoy the story, I'd appreciate comments to donbon@gmail.com.

*****************************************

Monday morning didn't seem so bad to Derek for once.  He woke up a minute
before his alarm, traffic seemed light, and even the Starbuck's line was
short.  Trevor texted him good morning as he pulled up to the office,
putting the day into strong contention for the best Monday ever.

Derek settled into his office to review the notes he had made on Friday.
The donor dinner had resulted in more leads than he could reasonably follow
up on this week, but he wanted to capitalize on the momentum as much as
possible.  He wondered if he could get some help checking names against a
list of past donation levels to help prioritize who to talk with first.

Robyn turned out to be much more efficient than any computer could have
been. "I've been the executive director for almost a decade now, but before
that I was in charge of fundraising for five years. I can tell you which
names are good to follow up with," she explained. "I should also warn you
of a few that always talk a good game but never donate."

The two spent the next hour together going through the list.  Robyn ended
up taking on responsibility to follow up for a few of the long term donors
she had a strong relationship with.  Derek saved a final version of the
notes and emailed a copy over to Robyn.

"I've got something a bit more private I need to talk to you about. Mind if
I shut your office door for a minute?" Derek asked.

"Of course, what's going on?"

Derek's throat had suddenly gone dry. "I uh, well normally I keep my
personal life separate from my professional life but this time I've messed
that up."  Derek swallowed before continuing, "I met Tiffany and Trevor
Smith at the donor dinner, and they invited me over for dinner this
weekend. I accepted mainly to make new friends, thinking they were
married. When I found out they were just best friends and Trevor was
gay..."

He was watching Robyn for a reaction, but unable to read her expression he
continued, "We really hit it off Saturday and we are now in a sexual
relationship.  I don't know how far it will go, but since he is a member of
the board I figured this fell into a grey area of dating coworkers so I
wanted you to hear it from me first."

Robyn wasn't smiling when she replied, "It's days like this I really hate
being the boss.  We do have a policy against staff/board relationships.
Years ago a staff member had an affair with the board treasurer.  It got
very ugly when his wife found out, and we lost a few donors in the ensuing
scandal.  We were forced to cut ties with them both to protect both the
foundation and the clinic."

"I understand," Derek replied as the color drained from his face.  "I
didn't know about the scandal but I do understand the policy."  He took a
deep breath before he continued, "I made a conscious decision before
pursing Trevor that I'd resign if needed to avoid any conflicts."

"Don't quit just yet," Robyn interrupted, "that policy hasn't ever been
reviewed or applied since it was put in place.  It was a knee jerk reaction
to a bad situation.  I've got a meeting later this week with legal and the
board leadership team, so let me get clarification before you make any
decisions."

Robyn paused before smiling, finally showing some emotion, "I know I
shouldn't say this but off the record I'm thrilled for both of you! I
noticed Trevor watching you at dinner the other night. He's gotten to be a
good friend over the years; He's a very special man and he deserves to be
happy.  In the few weeks you've been here you've already made a big impact
and I don't want to lose you either, so I'm willing to fight for you both
if you are sure this is what you want."

"I'm positive. He makes me happier than I have been in a long time. When
we're together nothing else matters and he seems to feel the same way.  We
spent over 24 hours together this weekend but I already feel like I've
known him my whole life," Derek gushed.

"Well ok then, it's settled. Let me see what I can work out.  Besides, you
probably already know how protective Tiffany can be, and nobody wants to be
on her bad list."

Derek had a hard time focusing on work the rest of the day.  The
conversation with Robyn hadn't exactly gone as planned, but the feeling he
got every time Trevor sent him another text confirmed he made the right
decision.  He decided that if Trevor didn't ask, he wasn't going to bring
it up.  There was no use in having them both worry. Either the issue would
resolve itself, or he'd find another job.

=================================================================

They decided on Mexican food for dinner. Like good Texans they had a
conversation about what kind of Mexican food before they picked a
restaurant.  There were the authentic places that used fresher ingredients
but tended to be a little bland, Tex-Mex with everything smothered in
cheese and a little kick, chili heavy southwest Mexican, and the odd
Cali-Mex that pretended to be healthier with seafood and only a little
cheese.  Derek was craving the comfort of gooey queso after the
conversation with Robyn, so they settled on a Tex-Mex place Trevor knew of
in a strip mall not far from his house.

Derek was waiting on a bench outside the door when Trevor arrived.  Even
though it had only been a day, they hugged tight enough that any passersby
would have guessed the men were reconnecting after years apart.  The spell
was broken by the clang of door chimes as a family left the restaurant.

"Table for 2 please," Trevor requested.

"Well after that hug I should hope so Dr. Trevor," the hostess teased as
she escorted them to a private booth in the back.  She put both menus down
on the same side suggesting they should sit together, "Juan will be over to
get your drinks in a minute.  Enjoy your meal."

Trevor explained, "This place is family owned, and most of the staff is
related. I came in one evening after work and ran into one of my past
patients when he ran over to me and gave me a hug.  I think I spent 20
minutes meeting all the staff as they thanked me for giving little Raphael
his smile back.  This has been one of my go to places ever since."

Derek's squeezed the other man's thigh, "Well as long as she wasn't
flirting."  Damn there were those dimples again.  Derek thought he'd never
get tired of seeing Trevor smile.

"Ok since I've never been here I have to ask... the nachos, are they CHIPS
with stuff, or chips with STUFF?"

"CHIPS with stuff," Trevor replied, understanding the question
instantly. "They use fresh baked flour tortilla chips and load each one up
with toppings. Sometimes I just get a half order topped with beef fajita
and call it a meal."

"Perfect! I've never been a fan of the version that's just a plate of chips
with ingredients piled in the middle.  It's just impossible to get all the
flavors on each chip."

The food was delicious, with a perfect balance of cheese and spice. The
frozen margaritas had to rank among the best in the city, just sweet enough
to cut the tang of fresh lime.  They sipped on the last of their margaritas
trying to prolong the meal when Derek spoke up, "I wish we could stay here
all night.  Well, maybe not this booth but you know what I mean."

"We could always go over to my place for a bit", Trevor suggested, adding a
quick peck on Derek's cheek and a suggestive squeeze on his leg to make his
point absolutely clear.

They were interrupted by the waiter arriving with a bowl of fried ice cream
and two spoons.  Seeing their confusion the waiter said, "It's on the
house, boss' orders."

Evening had fallen by the time they left.  Derek walked with Trevor to his
car in a darkened corner of the parking lot, pulling him into a passionate
kiss.  "I meant my offer earlier; you can come back to my place."

Derek sighed, "I know, and I really want to, but I just don't think it
would be a good idea.  I tend to lose track of time when I'm with you..."
he leaned in for another kiss.  "I have to meet with the lawyer's first
thing in the morning and finalize the paperwork for the matching funds on
Gloria's endowment.  I don't think it would look to good if I showed up in
the same clothes I wore today."

"I know.  I wished you lived closer," Trevor sighed wistfully. "I guess it
will be Thursday before I can see you again.  It's my week to cover the
evening appointments at the clinic tomorrow and Wednesday."

"It's a date. I'll see you Thursday."  Derek gave his boyfriend a final
kiss goodnight before heading home.

===============================================

Tuesday was fairly quiet for Derek.  All the paperwork for the endowment
was finally signed, and follow up conversations with his lead list were
going well.  He took it as a good sign that most of the potential donors
had been receptive to his calls, after all no one liked to part with money.
He himself had made many flimsy excuses over the years to avoid sales
pitches and charity calls.

It was a little after 9 when his phone rang. "Hey babe, did you just get
home?"

Trevor smiled on the other end of the line.  He'd never admit it out loud,
but he loved it when Derek called him babe.  "No, I've been home for 20
minutes or so.  I wanted to take a quick shower and wash away the grime
from work before I called."

"Wish I could have been there to help," Derek teased. "Now you got me
picturing you naked, covered in soap suds and water dripping down your
chest."

He meant it as a joke but got rock hard when Trevor replied, "Mmm I wish
you were here too." His voice growing husky with need, "maybe when you come
over Thursday..."

Derek picked up the conversation, "I can picture it now, holding our bodies
close and letting the warm water wash away the day.  I'd work up a nice
thick lather, making sure to massage every inch of your chest. Can you feel
me working your nipples?"

Derek could hear the unmistakable sound of a man jacking off as Trevor
moaned, "Keep going.."

"Next I'd kneel and gently wash your legs, slowly running my hands up and
down, working my up your thighs.  Closer and closer... but not yet."
Trevor whined in frustration. "time to spin you around and clean your
back."

"I'd start by gently running the wash cloth across your shoulders, slowly
moving down your back.  Screw the washcloth, I want nothing to be in my way
when I start working on your ass." Derek heard the hitch in his lover's
breathing and decided to press forward. "Yeah you like that don't you,
feeling my fingers knead your butt, a soapy finger slowly sliding up and
down your crack..."

"oh god..."

Derek was getting close too as he continued, "I can't wait to bend you
over, hands against the shower wall, and finally get my tongue...."

Derek dropped the phone when Trevor screamed out his climax and focused on
finishing himself off.  A few strokes was all it took.

He could hear Trevor saying something and quickly grabbed the phone, "Sorry
babe I dropped the phone, what was that?"

Trevor chuckled, "I was just saying I can't believe I shot so quick.  I
mean, I've sort of fantasized about you..."

"That makes two of us," Derek countered, "that is one fantasy I hope to
make reality very soon."

Trevor had started to yawn an hour later when they called it a night.
Derek turned out the lights and had just settled into bed when the screen
of his phone lit up with a text.  Of course it was from Trevor, "I was
thinking maybe you should bring a change of clothes Thursday night. Then
you have something to wear to work Friday in case you don't make it home.
Sweet dreams."

====================================================

The office was unusually busy Thursday morning, and Derek ended up closing
his door part way to cut down on the noise while he made calls.  He kept
checking the clock every 5 minutes, willing the day to go faster.  Tonight
was date night and he couldn't wait to see Trevor.  He was startled from
his thoughts when someone knocked on his door.

"Hey stranger, got a minute to talk?" Tiffany had poked her head around the
door.

"Sure come on in! What brings you to the office?" Derek queried.

Tiffany shut the door and took a seat.  "I was here for the leadership team
meeting," she paused, waiting for a reaction.

"I didn't realize you were on the board."

"No, I didn't think you did." Her stare was making Derek uncomfortable,
"I'm actually not on the board, but I'm currently serving as the clinic
liaison.  Imagine my surprise this morning when I saw the agenda had you
listed for a disciplinary review."

"Oh," he replied flatly, shifting uneasily in his chair.

"Oh?" she repeated, arching her eyebrow. "I'm assuming Trevor doesn't know
about this?" His silence was enough of an answer, "and just when were you
planning to tell him?"

"I was waiting until I heard more from Robyn.  I didn't want to worry him
until I knew how this would play out."  Derek opened his lower desk drawer
and passed a folder to Tiffany. "It's my letter of resignation.  I've had
it ready since Monday, I just need to sign and date it. I can easily find a
new job, but I don't think I could ever replace Trevor."

Tiffany's face softened, "You can't.  He's one of a kind."  She handed the
folder back to him, unopened, "Shred it.  The committee is recommending the
board takes no action, and to amend the existing policy."  Derek let out
the breath he had been holding.  "That doesn't mean you're off the hook
with me.  You need to tell him."

"I'm heading to his place after work, I'll tell him tonight."

Satisfied that her partner was safe, Tiffany finally smiled.  "Good. They
always order enough box lunches for staff and the board, so let's go grab
some lunch before all the good stuff is gone."

"Sure just let me finish a message and I'll meet you in the conference
room," Derek replied.

He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes once Tiffany was gone, not
realizing how stressed he had been.  He pulled out his phone to fire off a
text to Trevor, "Can't wait to see you tonight.  I have some news I need to
share with you," signed with a kissy face emoji.

It was late afternoon before he got a response, "Sorry but I need to cancel
tonight.  I'm really just not feeling up to it."

"Are you ok? Do you need me to bring you anything?"

"No. I really just need to be alone. Will talk to you this weekend,"
Derek's heart sank as he read the note, unsure what was going on.

"Ok well let me know if you need anything. Call me tonight?"

Derek stared at his phone.  The message had been marked as read but no
response came.

Just before five his phone rang from a number he didn't recognize. "Derek
Evans," he answered.

"Hey it's Tiffany."

"Oh hey I didn't recognize the number.  What can I do for you? Is Trevor
ok?" he began to panic.

"Actually, that's why I'm calling," Tiffany answered.

================================================

An hour later Derek was ringing Trevor's doorbell, his overnight bag in one
hand and Chinese takeout in the other. He waited almost a full minute
before the door opened to show Trevor standing there.  There was no smile
on his face, and his eyes were puffy and bloodshot.

"Why are you here?"

Derek pushed his way in past Trevor, "Tiffany called and told me what
happened. She told me to just give you some space for a few days but that
doesn't really work for me." He gestured with the takeout bag before
setting it on the kitchen counter.  "I brought you dinner so you don't have
to cook."

Trevor still stood by the open door, "I told you I didn't want to see you."

"I know," Derek said, trying to act strong, "but I need you to understand
I'm here for you no matter what. I'll be in the guest bedroom if you need
me, if not, I'll stay out of your way."

Alone on the guest bed Derek began to wonder if this had been the best
idea.  Tiffany had told him that Trevor had lost a patient, and he
immediately asked what he could do.  She told him to just give Trevor some
space for a few days and let him work it out, but he couldn't just sit by
and do nothing.  Maybe he was being selfish, but if he was willing to give
up his job for Trevor he sure as hell wasn't going to let him suffer alone.

He had been there less than five minutes when the bedroom door opened, with
Trevor just standing there looking forlorn.  Derek sat his phone down and
just held his arms open when the man remained mute.  Trevor shuffled over
to the bed and nestled into his boyfriends arms as he started to cry again.

"Don't worry, I've got you and I'm never letting go," Derek whispered as
pulled his boyfriend close.

Trevor let his sobs fill the room, feeling safe in his lover's arms.  Derek
wept softly too, wishing he could take away the pain.

Trevor finally spoke, "I just... She was so young.  I thought we were
finally making progress on her treatment.  She was always such a fighter,
and kept up her smile no matter how bad she felt."

"I can't pretend to understand what are going through, but you don't have
to go through it alone," Derek hugged Trevor from behind and kissed his
head.  "I meant what I said, I'm here for you no matter what."

Trevor turned toward him with a faint smile, "I know... but I can hear your
stomach growling."

"Well you try to go all day on just a lousy box lunch. I got stuck with the
vegetarian sandwich because that was the only thing left," Derek retorted,
thankful that the conversation was lightening up.

Trevor scooted up the bed to give him a proper kiss, "Well then maybe you'd
like to join me for dinner? I happen to have a bagful of Chinese takeout."

They both felt drained by the time they cleared away dinner, the day's
emotions having taken a heavy toll.  "I know how restless you can get when
sleeping away from home, and I don't want to be woken up by you moving
around the house all night, so I guess that means I have to let you sleep
with me tonight," Trevor's smile once again lighting up the room.

Derek leaned in for a tender kiss, "Home is wherever you are."