Chapter 15

Spring rolls in much earlier this year. By the beginning of March, the sky has cleared and the snow gradually melts into wet patches in the garden.

Lance shows up at an unusual time that morning – at seven fucking A.M. "I have a surprise for you," he says and practically forces Dylan out of bed. It takes maybe half an hour or less for Dylan to be awake enough to change out of his pajamas. 

"You should come out in the garden often. You have beautiful gardens here," Lance babbles on while leading Dylan outside the residential building. "They've cleared the snow in this area." Lance doesn't need to point it out. Dylan can see the stretch of green before him. 

For the first time, he finds the scenery breathtaking. Small flowers start to bloom along the pathway. The leaves have grown back on the trees. 

"There's someone I'd like you to meet," Lance says when they reach a certain spot. 

Dylan sees a large picnic basket lying on a checkered blanket and he's about to ask what's going on when he hears barking. It's only then he notices the crate next to the basket.

Lance opens the crate and a light brown poodle-like dog comes bounding out and straight to Dylan. 

"Hey." Dylan crouches to pet the dog.

"Her name is Misty. I rescued her off the streets a couple of months ago," Lance explains. "The vet says she's a goldendoodle. You know, a cross between a golden ret and a poodle."

"She's beautiful." Dylan settles on the blanket and the dog climbs on his lap. He can't help but snicker when the dog starts licking his face. He can feel Lance's eyes on him.

Tentatively, he meets Lance's gaze just in time to see the tears pooling in Lance's eyes. Lance's voice is soft and low when he says, "This is the first time I've seen you smile since I started coming here."

Dylan's cheeks grow hot. His smile doesn't falter. "So are we having a picnic?" he asks, unable to hide the amusement in his tone.

"Yeah. Um…" Lance starts taking out food containers. "Maybe we should get started while the food is still hot?"

"Okay." Dylan coaxes Misty to get off his lap.

Lance offers him a sandwich and a container filled with potato salad. "Since you seem to be in a good mood, there's something else I wanted to tell you."

Dylan takes a bite of the sandwich then starts shoving some salad in his mouth just to have an excuse not to talk. Lance sighs and says, "I was actually the one who bought your house in Reinville when Tyler placed it on the market." Dylan's head snaps up.

The soft glimmer on Lance's eyes sends a thrill down Dylan's spine. "I bought it after Samantha and I broke up and I stayed there hoping you'll come back someday."

"I didn't know." Of course, he didn't. Dylan had cut all contacts when he moved to Canada. It had taken him a year to reconnect with his family. 

They eat in silence. Dylan ponders if there is hope between him and Lance. He later chastises himself for hoping. There is no hope, he reminds himself. And the thought of Saxon suddenly invades his mind.

*

They got married in spring in a garden filled with colorful flowers and leafy trees. His mom no longer thought their relationship was a whirlwind romance. She flew to Canada with Tyler the day before the wedding.

It was beautiful yet simple – just the way Dylan preferred. Only a handful of Saxon's friends, Saxon's mom, a few of Dylan's workmates and his family were in attendance.

"Dad's sorry he can't come," Tyler strode beside Dylan in the middle of the reception.

"I'm worried about him, Tyler." Their father had been in the hospital for five days because of a weak heart. Dylan wanted to fly to Deertona but his father insisted he would be fine and Dylan just needed to focus on his wedding.

"Take lots of pictures and videos, okay?" his dad had said over the phone the day before and Dylan could tell his dad was trying to sound strong. 

"Okay, Dad." Dylan laughed just to hide the worry he knew was evident in his voice. "We'll go visit you as soon as all this madness is over."

Saxon's mom came up to him a little while later and, without warning, threw her arms around Dylan's middle and said, "I am so happy for you both." 

Dylan had only met Lauren twice. First was when they spent Thanksgiving with her after Dylan proposed to Saxon and the second was Christmas right after. She was warm and caring and Dylan could tell she was trying to make up for not being able to stand up for Saxon when his father threw him out of their house when Saxon was barely out of high school.

Lauren had divorced her husband a year before and she had been in touch with Saxon since.

That night, after they had made love and Saxon's head was on Dylan's chest, Saxon asked, "Do you still think about him?"

"Who?"

"Lance." 

"No. Not as much." It wasn't a lie. Lance hadn't crossed Dylan's mind in months now. "Why?" 

Saxon lifted his head and gazed up at Dylan, strands of his sandy blond hair falling over his face. "It's stupid but…. I can't help but wonder if you only asked me to marry you because you knew he was married."

Dylan looked at Saxon incredulously. "You're right. It's stupid." He shifted until they lay side by side, facing each other. "Honestly, Sax, I haven't thought about Lance until you brought him up."

Saxon's lips were suddenly on his. "I believe you," he said when he pulled back, his eyes flowed with so much trust and love that made Dylan's heart ache.