Chapter 51 - Chapter 51: The Last Flight Out

"Menzi!" I wheel my suitcase inside. "Are you home?"

"Yeah," he mumbles from his bedroom, before dragging his feet out into the lounge. "Did you change your flight? Why are you home so early?"

His eyes are still half shut with sleep, but he pulls me into a hug anyway.

"I took the last one out. On stand just after eleven. I was ready to be back."

He stretches his arms towards the ceiling, still waking up. "And maybe you didn't want to be away from Joburg? Especially tonight?"

I shrug, casually, keeping my eyes off his.

"Did you sign the lease?"

I stay quiet. I stood in a one-bed in Observatory with the agent watching me and did the sum I always do — deposit plus two months up front, out of what I earn — and I couldn't put my name on a life I'm not sure I want.

"You know you don't have to go. I don't want you to, unless you honestly think it's the best place for you. You can stay here, rent-free. Zondi probably won't even be in Joburg next season anyway."

My eyes snap to his. "What are you talking about?"

"He doesn't have an agent or a new contract." His tone is far too casual.

"What do you mean he doesn't have an agent?"

Menzi's brows crease. "He sacked him. Given. Didn't he tell you?"

What the hell? "No!" My volume climbs with it. "Why would he do that?"

My brother hesitates. "I . . . I think you should talk to him about that one."

"He can't sack him! He has to sign somewhere. He has to sign here." My words are running into each other. "How do you know?"