Naked Hero - The Journey Away

regret that it took him further away from where Scott himself felt he could go. It was not shame that would hold him back, it was fear. Fear of the prejudice, and fear of the unknown; fear of the vengeful God his aging parents put such faith in; and fear of the rejection of so many people he knew, including those aging parents who were sure all faggots were destined for hell, and would be heartbroken if he were to be added to their numbers by satisfying his curiosity on the matter.
    ‘And what now?’ he wondered as eyes gazed at him. ‘Walk away?’
    Lewis was giving him the chance to do so - and perhaps it might be best. Lee Porter’s involvement added a dimension to the arrangement that wasn’t to his liking in the slightest. The association with Lewis was already a risk, but one he could have handled the way things stood. The playing field had shifted though, to a much more dangerous level. Such a pity! If only Lewis was more like him – not necessarily into women, but at least discreet about liking men! If only he wasn’t so damn attractive, with a killer of a smile and an ass to die for! If only there wasn’t some other man in his life – a perfect hunk of masculinity that no one could possibly compete with!
    If only!
    But t hen what?
    Scott didn’t know. It was all a mess, and he didn’t like mess. Walk away – that was probably the answer. But it would be so unfair to do it now – be the first of the establishment to throw a stone. What hypocrisy that would be when he too shared the sin – in desire to satisfy his curiosity, if not in actual deed as yet?
    “I’ll look at it, Lewis ,” Scott finally said, curiosity again coming into play. “But I don’t think it will change anything for me. It sounds like you’re doing the right thing, but be careful - always remember that the fans are important. They can help you win a game as well as help you lose one. They deserve your respect.”
    “Not the ones I saw yesterday,” replied Lewis, using this track to hide his delight as he battled the urge to give Scott Taylor a hug and a big sloppy kiss.
    “They weren’t tennis fans,” countered Scott who was fighting his own battle. “Don’t mix them up with the real fans that were there. You still need them. They pay your wages. You need to win them over.”
    Lewis shook his head. “I’ve tried to do that, but it doesn’t work for me. They can take me as I am, and if that’s the villain in their eyes, then so be it... Okay. I think we’re done.”
    Having brought things to a close, Lewis got up and found some paper, then wrote down the website address for Jim and Scott. Both men looked at it as it was placed in front of them, anxious to find a clue about its nature, but it told them nothing other than a name, to go with a man they had already seen... and would be seeing a lot more of when they logged on to the site that was www.leeporter.com!

Chapter 30
    It was a glorious Saturday afternoon in Sydney, and at the North Side of Bondi Beach where all the gay boys hang out, a gang of British lads were having a high old time: lapping up the sun, working on their tans, fooling around in the surf where trunks were pulled down to help advertise the finery that might be on offer. There was plenty of interest as each one of them looked stunning, and given that they weren’t in any way shy, new friends were soon made – some adding to the group having a lark on the beach, others reducing the numbers by disappearing with one of the gang where in private the trunks came down again and whatever was on offer was lustily sampled. They were having too much fun with all the frolicking and fornicating to worry about the two housemates who had declined to join them: Joey from Thailand who was earning cash on his back by turning a few tricks; and their boss, Lee Porter, who they assumed must be ill, as he had elected to stay home and watch television!
    Lee wasn’t ill, despite the odd behaviour. He was following the Australian Open, and Lewis Macleod had just taken the second set against Mierskoff – the young Scot seemingly in total control. Lee had been concerned at first about Lewis’s play, fearing that something was wrong - the power and speed were there, but he had punctuated it with slower play, which lacked the dynamism that Lee had witnessed earlier in the week. But it was working, and Lee had soon relaxed, confident that Lewis knew what he was doing. He should have been even more relaxed by now.