Naked Hero - The Journey Away

bringing disrepute upon his sport. Of all the Australian rags only the Herald had been somewhat restrained in their vitriolic spewing, which was rather odd as they had historically been Lewis’s biggest detractor Down Under.
    Whatever – Scott Taylor was relieved. He’d feared that his name would get dragged into the mud-throwing, but even the Herald seemed to have forgotten his involvement in the jamboree of outrage that the tabloids were revelling in. It was the Herald that he had scanned first over breakfast in his room - a serving of Eggs Benedict that he’d thoroughly enjoyed – and he’d returned to the Herald after checking the others, just to be sure that he hadn’t missed anything. But there was nothing. Satisfied, the newspaper was put aside and a celebratory second cup of coffee was about to be poured when Scott was disturbed by the internal telephone ringing. Rising from the table Scott picked up the receiver then listened incredulously to the desk clerk as he told him who was at reception requesting a meeting with him in the lobby.
    “Mr. Porter! Is anyone else with him?” he asked once the initial shock had passed – the relief of his morning now turned upside down and laughing like a manic jester in his face.
    “I don’t believe so, sir. Shall I enquire?” was the response.
    “No, it’s okay. Erm – hold on a second whilst I check my diary”
    Scott put the receiver to his pounding heart as he considered the situation. It was difficult to think straight – Lee Porter was at the reception, asking to see him – what on earth could the man possibly want? Was he here to gloat? That was unlikely. What then? ...And so early in the morning – it wasn’t even nine! He should still be in bed having Lewis for breakfast – that’s certainly what Scott would have expected him to be doing... Could it possibly be that he didn’t spent the night with him? There was no specific mention of that in the tabloids, so it could be the case. Now that would put a different perspective on things. Questions, questions, raged in Scott’s mind, then one probable answer managed to break through: he’s here to ask for help. The bloody nerve!
    Time was passing. A response was needed. Curiosity and a wounded affection were pulling at strings to encourage agreement. It would be an awkward encounter, especially if they were spotted together - but even more awkward if word got out that he’d received him in his room, so that option was out of the question. Declining the meeting was the smart thing to do, but the strings of curiosity, and much more so of affection, were powerful influences on a guilty conscience and a snarling libido that hadn’t forgotten.
    “ Yes, I can spare a few minutes. Tell Mr. Porter I’ll be with him presently.”
    Hiding his relief, Lee ordered coffee for two then found a quiet area in the lobby where hopefully they could speak without attracting too much attention. As he waited, he tried to wipe clean the impression that he had formed of Scott Taylor over the past few days – Lee wanted to form his own opinion based on what was real rather than what was written or told. He also tried to wipe away the animosity he felt towards him. It had no real basis, none that he could name anyway, and it was certainly not something that should be on display now. Emotions had to be put aside and the brain thinking calm and collectively. He and Lewis needed this man’s help, and Lee appreciated that it would not be easily won. As he waited, Lee rehearsed his arguments and tried to forget about the conflicting motivation that had brought him here today. Lewis needed him if he was to beat Gonzales - that was all that mattered in the short term. And Lee needed to see Scott Taylor - he needed to assess the man on a different level.
    The American appeared ten minutes later, emerging from the elevator casually dressed in jeans and a loose-fitting tee-shirt. Lee watched him appraisingly as Scott scanned the lobby searching him out. Normally Lee would have stood up and identified himself, but as discretion was the order of the day, he tactfully waited until Scott looked in his direction before raising his hand slightly; then at last he rose to greet him as he approached.
    “Mr. Taylor, thank you for agreeing to see me. I know it’s very presumptuous of me to call round unannounced. Shall we sit down?”
    Scott complied, but made no immediate response. Seated, he coldly looked Lee Porter over, noting