Naked Hero - The Journey Away

was the sulky response.
    “Look, let’s not do this over the phone. Can I come round?”
    Poor Lewis was flummoxed. Despite his annoyance over recent behaviour and the lingering suspicion concerning what he’d been up to, the idea of seeing Lee again had a definite appeal – in fact, spending the rest of the day locked away with him in his room had a massive attraction. After another bout of voyeurism and a fortnight without sex, he was feeling so horny he was climbing the walls. So what better way for Lee to make amends for his sins by showing Lewis a few tricks from the extensive repertoire he must have developed? But then there was the guilt – that needed to be factored out. There was what he’d said to Scott – had he told his idol a lie? And if Lee had actually been with some other guy then what a pathetic doormat that would make Lewis if he welcomed him back and took him to bed. It was the prospect of sex that had screwed up his head – that couldn’t be allowed again at such a critical stage in a slam. There was so much involved when it should be simple. But regardless, he needed to see Lee and sort something out.
    “All right - I’m not going anywhere.”
    “Great – I’ll see you in hour.”
    An hour - an hour to think and use his head for a change! But whatever the decision, Lewis was resolved – he wouldn’t be messed around again by the far from perfect Lee Porter!
    Already mulling things over, Lewis went into the living area to tell Jim and Fiona about the imminent arrival. He found his coach taking a call of his own – one that he was dealing rather abusively with, much to his wife’s consternation.
    “What was that all about then?” asked Lewis, once the call was terminated with threats of legal action.
    “That was your management group,” growled Jim. “Apparently your clothing company has served notice: the sponsorship has been terminated with immediate effect. They don’t believe it’s in their interests to maintain the association - too much bad publicity of late. I tried to warn you.”
    “Aye, I remember you saying something, Jim. What does this mean then?” asked Lewis, who could have seriously done without another drama kicking off in his life.
    “It means they won’t be using you to advertise their gear!” snapped the coach, who was feeling much the same.
    Lewis shrugged this off. Managing the agents, and indirectly the sponsors, was Jim’s job, not his. “They didn’t do that much anyway... not since Wimbledon, and that was short lived. So, am I supposed to give the clothes back? You can tell them to sod off!”
    “No, but they won’t be sending any more, or the monthly payment for wearing them. You were lined up for a big bonus as well if you won here. Your friend Lee Porter has cost you dearly!” fumed the coach.
    Annoyed as he was with Lee, Lewis wasn’t going to rise to Jim’s aspersions. It was his own decision to invite the scoundrel and he would bear the consequences. The sponsorship deal mattered little anyway – it was just another rejection that was of small importance to him. “Is that why they’ve done it, to get out of a bonus payment?” he asked, shaking his head in despair at their corporate greed.
    “Hardly!” replied Jim. “It will blow up in their faces if you do lift the trophy, but they probably think they’re covered. They’ve got most of the other players that are still in the draw, and all of the ones that are likely to win. Except you now, of course.”
    “So what happens next?”
    “Your management people will look for another deal. It shouldn’t be too hard. Get to the final and they’ll be queuing up. In the meantime, just wear the same stuff - they can’t stop you. Or use something else if you want to – you’re at liberty to wear what you like now.”
    “I might just do that!” snapped Lewis. “Fuck them... Sorry, Fiona... Anyway, Lee’s coming round shortly - he likes the shops. Maybe we could go out and look for something new.”
    “He’s what!” exclaimed Jim.
    “He’s coming round,” repeated Lewis, enjoying the coach’s reaction. “He just called me. Still in Melbourne apparently – who would have guessed.”
    Jim was none too pleased, but he held himself in check. “Well, I’m surprised he’s got the nerve after promising to come to the practice... but then again, I suppose I shouldn’t be. But if you’re determined to see him again, which you obviously are, then it would be best kept