I seen the sign for the Surf's Up Shack. I've been there a few times. They let Tucker in and I would tie him to the gate by the tables. We walked to the shack and he found his group of guys sitting outside with a few beers. They didn't notice us, but I noticed them. I nearly fainted when seeing Paul.

I stopped in my tracks. Ryan looked back at me. "Are you coming?" He asked.

"I-I should probably wait for my friend," I lied.

"She won't have trouble finding us. Now come on, I'll get you a beer and you'll be fine." Ryan pulled my wrist that wasn't occupied holding the leash with Tucker on the end.

I was practically fighting Ryan while he was pulling me. All of the guys turned over at us. I just prayed that Paul didn't recognize me. Seeing him after all of this would be too much for me. I was completely wrong when I said that it would hurt Paul more than it would hurt me when I broke up with him. I was the one who was at home, drunk, with her dog. Paul was online posting all of his party photos, and all I could see was nothing but smiles.

"Hey Byrnesy, I see what took you so long," One of the guys commented while eyeing me up and down. I just scoffed at the pig.

I could see Paul staring at me, intensely. "K-Kendall O'Connor?" He asked, wearily. "And this is Tucker, am I right?" He went to pet the dog.

"You know her?" Ryan asked as he took a seat.

I went to tie Tucker on the gate. I took a seat across from Paul who wouldn't let his eyes leave me.

He was quiet for a while before replying. "One of my old friends," He lied.

"What a small world, huh?" Another guy said.

"Y-Yeah."

I was sneaking glances at Paul every now and then. He looked really good. I could see that his muscles were a lot bigger and more impressive. Plus, he changed his haircut a little bit. The curls were now gone. But his style is what I loved the most. There was no doubting that he was still the carefree guy I left him as.

I seen Sarah making her way over here, holding back a grin when her eyes met Ryan's. I laughed it off. Sarah seriously lived the life of a bachelorette. It was only right for her to go home with guys, go out to party and just living life carefree. There was a catch to her though, she had a soft part for animal's and was also very intelligent. You had to be a true player to get her to bite because she was a business woman. When I asked her to run my clinic, she didn't think about it for a second.

"You must be her friend, Sarah?"

"Paul?" She said, taking off her glasses and totally disregarding Ryan. The way her face dropped was priceless. I held back the loudest laugh, so I wouldn't embarrass myself.

"Do you both live here now?" He asked, looking at me.

"We own a veterinary clinic now. We're living our dreams." That's what Sarah and I were doing, living our dreams.

Sarah took a seat next to Paul and one of their other friend's who was some what attractive. He had long blonde hair and a nice beach tan.

"I'm so happy for you. I know that's what you talked about for the longest time." Paul's smile was too much for me. I could have nearly broke down right there.

I turned to face Ryan. I rested my hand on his forearm, hoping that it would show his weaknesses. I wasn't trying to hit on him, I just wanted a favour. He smiled at me.
"Can you get me a drink?" He nodded indicating that he would. "Anything with whisky in it will do and a bottle of water," I told him and he just chuckled before getting up. I watched his big figure disappear around the corner.

I went to pet my dog, who was laying next to the table. I saw that he was panting and trying to stay out of the shade, so I got Ryan to grab some water.

"I'm Matt," The one who tried to hit on me said. I just grinned, realizing who he was. It was the famous Matt Duchene of the Colorado Avalanche.

"Patrick," The other guy introduced.

"I'm Tyson."

"I'm a big fan of yours, well your whole junior team. I lived out in Kelowna for a while and I fell in love with the Rockets organization," I gushed.

He smiled at me sweetly. "Thank you. How are the boys holding up in Kel City?"

"Not too bad."

"These guys are all Colorado players, why are you here, Biz?" Sarah asked.

"Byrnesy and I go way back and I'm on a semi-vacation."

"Oh..."

Ryan soon came back with my drinks. I nearly downed the glass of alcohol he handed me. My dog just lapped up the water and was pleased.

"So, we're looking for somewhere to go out tonight. That place you were telling me about, what's it called again?" Ryan asked me.

"Beach Bodies," I repeated. It peaked the interest of all the guys because they were all ears.
"It has hot girls and a sick DJ?"

"Yeah, it has both. If you're trying to wife someone in the club, don't bother." They all erupted in laughter, even Sarah. "It sounds like your place," I summed.

"You girls want to come?" Tyson asked with a small smile.

"I can't, but Sarah will probably go with you guys." I didn't want to go out with these hockey players. Either way, I promised Jaxon that we could hang out tonight. I wanted to make it up to him, since I bailed last night.

"Don't be a buzz kill!" Matt protested.

"Sorry."

.......

"I better get going now," I sheepishly said. I untied Tucker and held onto his leash.

"Do you live far from here?" Paul asked, standing up as well.

"No, maybe a ten minute walk."

"Let me walk you home," He suggested.

I looked at Sarah for help. She knew that I didn't want him to come see where we live, because quite frankly I was still a little self-conscious about it, and what if Jaxon was there. I didn't want to have to explain anything to either of them.

I bit my lip as I thought about it. "Okay.."

.......

We walked down the streets. I could see all of the big houses and plenty of cars in the driveways. I knew that in a few minutes my house would be in sight.

"You live here?" He asked, looking around at all of the mansions. Some of the houses had huge gates and long driveways to their doorway. A lot of these people loved their privacy.

"Yeah, and my house is just up there," I said, pointing to the white house in the distance.
We kept walking, side by side. The closer we got to my house, the more nervous I got. I didn't dare to meet Biz's eyes. It was too intimate for me.

We stood in front of my house. I walked up my driveway, while he just stared there admiring the house in front of him. This is why I didn't want him to walk me home. He would make a big deal about my new house and new life.

"Are you coming?" I asked, annoyed. He just hurried his self up. I unlocked the door and let Tucker run free.

"Come Paul, I'll show you around."

Notes

A/N: Okay. It's been a while, I know. I was just really busy and I didn't have time to upload my stories. I apologize. I tried to pick a decent house and you'll find out later what all happened within that year. Just wanted to say good luck and I hope everything goes good for Ilya Kovalchuk and his family, and his career (if he chooses to continue), he was an amazing player! NOTE: What ever Jeremy Roenick said, was very rude.

S/O to @Hockey Chickk_

Song of the chapter: Better Than I Used To Be - Tim McGraw
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO0keYA21oI