Naked Hero - The Journey Away

an immaculate conception, because her husband certainly wasn’t doing his duty anymore. Scott spent most of his time on the golf course praying for a hole in one and grounds for release. ‘Irreconcilable differences’ was eventually agreed, and divorce was granted just over a year ago.
    So it was no stroke of luck on Jim Murdoch’s part that had landed Scott Taylor and enticed him here today. The American had resisted plenty of similar approaches, but found the prospect of working with Lewis far too tempting despite the potential risk to his reputation. The lad had intrigued him ever since he’d come out, doing so in such dramatic fashion. Macleod had shocked the world and rocked Scott’s perception – so it was possible to like men and also be a champion! That unprecedented announcement had thrown up so many questions: could it be that Scott had judged it wrong by electing to suppress one side of his ambivalent sexual nature? The answer was no! The lack of subsequent success for Lewis suggested too great a burden. And if ever there was a doubt then yesterday’s debacle convinced Scott Taylor that he could never have walked a similar path without regret. His tennis came first. The sacrifice was worth it. But where did that leave him now?
    Wanting to help – that was for sure. Scott didn’t think of himself as gay – bisexual perhaps, ‘curious’ was a term that sat much better with him – but call it what you like, he’d kept it to himself. So in a way he felt indebted to Macleod for accepting the mantle that he had refused, making it easier for others who might follow in his wake – something that he hadn’t done for Lewis, but had the opportunity to amend for now in some way.
    And wondering! His playing days were behind him, at least at the level Scott wanted success at, so where was the obstacle for him to take the plunge and satisfy his curiosity by sampling a little of the life that Lewis Macleod apparently valued above success on the tennis court?
    Everywhere was the answer! Half a lifetime spent in denial had created plenty of barriers which years of fame had only compounded. There was a devout family to consider who would be shocked and appalled if ever such a thing were to reach their righteous ears. And there were countless friends and acquaintances who would feel betrayed at the perceived subterfuge he had showed. There was his reputation and legacy to consider – a place in the Hall of Fame at risk. Those were the easy ones, and there were plenty more - Scott could make a list that would run to several pages. But weighed against this was a more than ‘curious’ nature that after years of suppression was yearning for release. And now to trump it all there was Lewis Macleod – openly gay and needing his help... and worryingly disturbing in so many wonderful ways!

Chapter 2 5
    “So what now?” asked Lewis, as they gathered outside the court at the end of the practice. He was feeling somewhat deflated after the earlier elation. Scott had said very little during the one hour session, despite all the looks Lewis had thrown him, urging the American to give some input.
    “Now I need to shower and get ready for my new masters at noon,” answered Scott. “There’s nothing you need to worry about for tomorrow, Lewis. Just play your normal game. It’s more than good enough. Just keep your focus and I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
    Lewis nodded, pleased about the praise but feeling disconcerted – the prospect of a shower dominating his mind and ruining the focus he’d been told to maintain. It could be a tricky situation – the locker room always was now that he’d come out. Not something that he normally fretted over as few of the facilities ever involved communal showers, and blinkered vision stopped the potential for offence. But somehow the idea of being in the locker room with Scott had a different dimension – too many teenage fantasies had their roots in there, with his sexy American idol at the centre of them.
    Pre-occupied as he was, Lewis didn’t pick up much of the subsequent conversation...
    “Sorry I have to dash off,” Scott continued, picking up his kit bag. “But I’ll speak to you all later once I’m finished for the day. I’m not covering any of the evening matches.”
    “Oh well, if you’re free then come round for dinner if you like,” Jim enthusiastically suggested. “The wife’s a good cook, so she won’t poison you. Then we can have a proper