Naked Hero - The Journey Away

all he allowed himself to think about.
    Five minutes later the players shook hands. Victory was his. Lewis Macleod had justified his seeding... and the faith of two very contrasting men.

Chapter 31
    A fter his post match analysis for ABC, Scott went to the players’ lounge in order to meet Lewis and Jim - neither was there when he arrived. Unwittingly, he took a seat at the same table that Lewis had occupied earlier in the week, and busied himself by making some notes whilst he awaited their arrival. It was not long before he was interrupted by Chantal Duboir.
    “Scott, how are you?” she asked as she approached him.
    Gentleman Scott immediately stood up. “Chantal, good to see you again... I’m fine thanks, and you? Please, sit down.”
    “I was hoping to catch Lewis before my match starts - to say well done,” replied Chantal as she joined Scott at the table.
    “He should be here soon. Interviews, he tends to get a lot of questions,” explained Scott. “When are you on?”
    “They’re still playing the first set, so another hour at least. But I can’t stay long... Lewis told me you were helping him. He’s very excited about it. It means a lot to him. Thank you.”
    Scott shrugged it off, delivering the answer everyone got when they raised the subject of his involvement. “He’s a good kid, with enormous talent. I’m enjoying working with him. It makes the fortnight a lot more interesting for me to have a horse in the race. He might even win it... Congratulations by the way, I never got the chance to say so before. I was really pleased for you. Two slams in one year. Well done. I’m sure there’ll be more to come.”
    “ Perhaps,” she replied, not sounding at all convinced.
    Lewis spotted them as soon as he walked in, and was momentarily halted in his tracks. He had not expected to see Chantal and he found it strangely disturbing to find her talking to Scott – she knew far too much about him. But there was no need to worry – Chantal was very discreet and would never intentionally do anything to harm her friends, so there was nothing underhand going on. Yet still he felt a tinge of anxiety and Lewis knew the real reason why – it was his guilty conscience punishing him for the inappropriate way he viewed his new mentor. Lee Porter might be coming to visit, but in the meantime it was Scott who’d been the physical presence, spending hours each day with Lewis: acting as a practice partner on court; giving advice away from it; generally getting to know each other and finding an easy affinity. And of course there were those moments of tortuous titillation, changing side by side in the locker room, Lewis gaining inspiration to take to the shower where Lee was unable to compete. He knew it was wrong, perhaps even dangerous, setting himself up for a hideous hurt because where could it ever lead. But he was happier than he could remember for a very long time, so Lewis just went with the flow.
    As he approached them, Lewis was struck by Scott’s appearance. He was formally dressed in a shirt and tie again – smart as always for his job. Lewis hadn’t taken much notice before when he’d seen him similarly dressed in the locker room, as there were too many other things occupying his mind at the time. But he noticed now, and was suitably impressed. Scott certainly looked good in it. Then seeing that his suit jacket was draped over the back of his chair, Lewis found himself wishing that Scott would put it on. He wanted to see the full effect. It was strange how sometimes more clothing was better. Lewis wondered what Lee Porter would look like in a suit... probably nowhere near as good.
    Congratulations were soon being offered as Lewis reached the table and joined his friends. Chantal stayed for a few minutes then excused herself to prepare for her own match.
    “Are we still on for dinner this evening?” asked Lewis as she stood to go. “Or will that depend on your result?”
    Chantal gave him a wry smile. “You might not like the company if I lose, but of course we’re still on. I need to eat, whatever the result.”
    “Okay, I’ll see you later. I’m sure it will be fine, but good luck anyway,” said Lewis.
    “Yeah, best of luck, Chantal,” echoed Scott. “It was great to see you again. Shame we didn’t have longer.”
    Lewis was hit by a sudden thought. “Perhaps you’d like to join us tonight, Scott! That’s if you’re free,” he blurted out. “We’re going to Serendipity,