Naked Hero - The Journey Away

given!
    There was a sort of déjà vu about the walk to the locker room after the practice: Lewis and Scott at the front side by side, with Jim and Mike trailing behind them. Just like before when they had met for the first time there was a frizzle of excitement, in this case over the renewal of a bond. There was also plenty of unstated anticipation concerning the prospect the locker room usually afforded. And to complete the similarity, a spectre was haunting them... but now it had a name that both of them knew.
    Lee Porter was a subject Scott had always avoided, reluctant to hear confirmation of what he assumed. But the morning’s surprise encounter had given him cause to doubt, and the courage to enquire as they walked. “I saw your friend last night in the box, did he enjoy the match?”
    Lewis bristled , not overly comfortable with the topic, but it sounded like Scott was making an effort so he replied politely and short. “I think so... I haven’t seen him since.”
    Scott’s heart practically leapt out of his chest. So they didn’t spend the night together! Emboldened, he pressed onwards. “Will he be coming along tomorrow? It would be good if he was there to support you.”
    “You think?” asked Lewis, a little surprised.
    A bolder man would have said: No! I was only joking! He’s a scoundrel! Send the cocky bastard packing! But he’d seen a nobler side to Lee Porter, and honour dictated Scott didn’t stick the knife in. And given the situation, there was undoubtedly a benefit in having him around, as Porter would definitely deflect attention, giving Scott some breathing space whilst he decided what, if anything, he should do about Lewis. “Yep, on balance I think it would be a good idea.”
    Lewis wasn’t so sure, but he took it on board and mulled it over as they continued in silence for a moment... At the end of the day, what did he really know about Lee Porter and his actions? He had been a good friend - that was for sure – up until the disappointment of last night that was! But then his reasons for refusing what had been tacitly on offer were perfectly fine when all said and done, if a little out of character and crushing at the time. Lee was clouded in suspicion and definitely not to be trusted when it came to other men, but there could be no denying he was a likeable rogue – Lewis really enjoyed his company. He was fun, they got on well, and he talked about things other than tennis. It had got messy though – the prospect of sex had changed the dynamics and left Lewis feeling deflated when he should have been floating on cloud nine. Thank goodness that Scott had come to the rescue today when Lee had obviously been too busy. It was messy – but he still really liked him. And of course Lee could act as a lightning conductor, taking the pressure off Scott which had to be a good thing with regards to winning the tournament.
    “All right – I’ll invite him... that’s assuming he’s still around...” Lewis was going to leave it at that, but there was a sense of duplicity creeping up on him again which he didn’t like at all, and somehow he felt that Scott deserved more. “...We’re not boyfriends you know! We’re just an unlikely couple of mates who somehow get along, and that’s how it should stay.”
    “The press seem to think that there’s more involved than just friendship,” said Scott, barely able to contain his excitement at this turn of events.
    Lewis snorted out a laugh. “ Scott! Listen to yourself! You should know as well as me that the press get a lot of things wrong!”
    Scott said nothing in reply. And saying nothing, Lewis once suggested, was as good as a lie – but he was far too happy to register this fact.

Chapter 4 4
    The next twists to the day came simultaneously, courtesy of telecommunications ...
    Having returned to the house, Lewis was in his room putting away his kit. He was still thinking about Scott and what a gentleman he was, and recalling some other aspects of the American idol which had been recently refreshed in the locker room. So it came as a jolt – a real bolt out of the blue – when his mobile rang and he saw the name on display.
    “Lee! And where exactly are you calling from?” he testily enquired, annoyed with Porter and with himself as well – why in damnation was he suddenly feeling guilty again!
    “I’m at the hotel – in Melbourne... You didn’t think I’d left town, did you?”
    “I’m not sure what to think, Lee,”