Chapter 21 - Chapter 21: Don'T Ruin Christmas

I only had a handful of quick charter trips in the weeks before the league broke up for Christmas. Those were spent avoiding the overwing exit row as much as possible and locking myself in my hotel room in an attempt to avoid Zondi. Spending time with him isn't the problem per se, but every time I'm around him, I feel like a dog on heat, wanting to jump his bones.

Somehow though, I successfully evaded him.

However, if I would've seen Zondi at the shelter with Rosie before those work trips, I'd be telling a different story. That day last week, seeing him around all my favourite pups, I had never been more attracted to him than I was at that moment.

And for the second time since I've known him, my attraction had nothing to do with the way he looks and everything to do with the sliver of his heart he showed.

"Vee, you ready to go?" My dad's voice pulls me out of my daydream.

Looking around the players' family suite at the Wanderers, I hadn't noticed that the previously crowded space had essentially cleared out over the final over. The Lions are about to close this one out with two balls to spare, and I'm sure most family members are eager to see their players outside the change rooms on Boxing Day.

Slinging my cross-body bag over my shoulder, I follow my dad out of the suite and along the corridor toward the players' area behind the change rooms, where the families wait. My mum is at least three metres ahead of us, eager to see her beloved son, but I'm trying to ignore the fact she's never been that excited to see me.