Naked Hero - The Journey Away

when it’s been allocated.”
    “Sure, I’ll be here.”
    Jim tried to keep his excitement in check and pressed further. “That’s great. Do you think that you could spare some more time later in the week?”
    “I’m sure something can be arranged, but let’s see how things work out tomorrow first.”
    “If it’s a matter of the fee, then we’ll pay whatever you think is right. Sorry, but I suppose I need to cover that.”
    “No fee, Jim! It’s a pleasure to help out - really. I’m looking forward to meeting your young man.”
    “He’ll be thrilled. I’ll go and find him now and tell him the good news. Thank you, Scott, for everything.”
    “I’ll see you tomorrow, Jim.”

Chapter 21
    Lewis quickly showered and changed, then went straight to the players’ lounge where he made the necessary arrangements for Lee to be admitted as a guest, and for a car to take him to the airport. As he entered the room, there was a momentary hush, before conversations resumed - no doubt on a different topic. Lewis took no notice of anyone. He simply helped himself to some fruit juice then took a seat at an empty table with a clear view of the door. For a few minutes he alternated his attention between that door and some of the matches that were being screened around the room, but he was soon lost in his thoughts about his own match, and the man who had so mysteriously appeared at it.
    Why was he here?
    There would be no simple answer, Lewis was sure of that. But he was here! And what now would he say to this man, a sort of modern day knight in shining armour, who regardless of motive had proved himself to be more of a friend than Lewis had ever suspected could be the case. There was no time to consider an answer however.
    A huge smiled covered Lewis’s face as he saw once again his ‘knight in shining armour’ enter the room. Lee spotted him immediately, and came over to where he sat. Lewis rose to greet him, not sure how to react. He could feel his heart pounding as he offered his hand.
    “Sit down,” said Lewis. “I’ve ordered a car to take you to the airport. It’ll be here at half five. Is that okay?”
    “Yeah, of course,” said Lee, as he sat once again with Lewis, conscious of the similarity to their previous meeting. A similar scene, but set in a different world. This was Lewis’s world, and Lee needed to remember that.
    “It’s a shame you have to go back so soon,” said Lewis. “It seems like every time we meet one of us has to dash off somewhere – you’d think we’re trying to avoid something.”
    “Perhaps it’s just as well,” replied Lee with a twinkle to his eye, “you’ve got a tournament to win, and I probably shouldn’t be here.”
    “But you are here,” Lewis said, shaking his head as if in disbelief. “Fancied a day out, did you?”
    Lee hung his head with feigned embarrassment then lifted it again like a naughty schoolboy who’d been reprimanded, with a glint in his eyes that was even naughtier. “I had a free day, and I thought it might be fun to come and see some tennis. You can get in here quite easily you know - not like at Wimbledon.”
    “Did you enjoy it? Worth coming again?”
    “It’s really something. I never realised how good you guys actually are... how good you are! You really are amazing to watch at close quarters.” Lee rounded this off with another smile and a glint, the most exquisite form of teasing.
    “Well, it was quite a show you got to see,” Lewis replied, enjoying this game much more than the one he’d played earlier. “I think most people got their money’s worth today. And thank you. It was very brave of you to do that... You could have got lynched.”
    Lee shrugged as if it was nothing. “Something needed to happen. It was a bit dramatic I suppose. Typically gay! I hope I didn’t embarrass you. I know you prefer the low profile approach.”
    Lewis threw a sarcastic grin. “Very funny!”
    “It wasn’t so funny at the time though,” Lee replied, empathy drizzling all over the words. “I thought there might be some trouble, but nothing like what ended up getting dished out. It got way out of hand. How do feel now?”
    “I’m okay. Glad you came along, though. I needed a friend.”
    A hand reached out to give a reassuring pat on the shoulder, bringing the two men closer. “You had plenty of friends there, Lewis. They just couldn’t be heard for a little while.” The hand was then withdrawn but proximity was maintained