Naked Hero - The Journey Away

good as Lewis. So Jim held his tongue. He had already got it wrong with the draw, which was a rare event indeed. It was an omen he reckoned – definitely time for him to go. But who would replace him? That was a topic that would have to be broached… and soon.
    Jim’s favoured candidate for the post received a message on his pager. He was needed back in the commentary box. Apologising that he couldn’t stay longer, Scott made his way to the door, his jacket held loosely in his hand, unneeded in the Melbourne heat that awaited him outside.
    ‘That’s a pity.’ thought Lewis, as he watched him depart – although the unobstructed view of Scott’s tasty rear was a massive consolation for not seeing his new mentor fully suited up.
    ‘Aye, a pity.’ thought Jim, as he also watched Scott leave – his sentiments a lot less carnal. ‘It’s a crying shame you’re walking away... Commentating indeed! Your place is here... and I think you know it, Gentleman Scott Taylor.’

Chapter 32
    As soon as he returned to the house, Lewis called Lee to make the arrangements for his visit. He was pleased when Lee said he would take care of things himself, but Lewis insisted that it should be handled from Melbourne – a way of saying thanks beyond the beer that was still owed. Fiona would be taking care of everything: flights, hotel and transfers at either end. The exact time of the match was unknown as yet, but Lewis reckoned it would kick-off the evening session on Monday to coincide with primetime television. It would be best to arrive early though, in the unlikely event the organisers went for the afternoon. Lewis had learned to build in contingency where schedules were concerned!
    That having been sorted, they settled down to have a chat - Lewis first asking about Lee’s plans for the evening, which he was told involved another gig at the Paradise Club where a regular slot had now been secured for the crew.
    A riot of men and parties! That was the thought that sprung to Lewis’s mind on hearing this, as it had done in Sydney when they met for the first time. But on this occasion he didn’t raise it – it would be cringing if Lee were to make the same gaff and claim he was normally too exhausted for the latter. It was there though – a mild resentment on Lewis’s part which he knew was totally unfair. It was Lee’s job after all. And why shouldn’t he take advantage of all the men that would throw themselves at him? He had no claim on Lee. They were friends without strings, who might end up in bed quite soon, but that didn’t prevent either from screwing around, before or after the event. Lewis had already thought it through, and it was perfectly good reasoning - all part of being a modern gay man. It was just a shame it left a bitter taste in his mouth, but that came with the territory of being involved with Lee Porter.
    In reply to Lee’s similar question, Lewis explained that he would be having dinner with Chantal and Marie, but decided not to mention Scott. And why should he! Lee didn’t tell him about the other men in his life. But as luck would have it, the subject of Scott Taylor came up anyway a few minutes later. Coincidences like that was something else that came with the territory of being involved with Lee Porter...
    “Did you ever find out who the other guy was? You know - the one that shouted out after me at the match?” Lee casually dropped into the conversation.
    It dropped on Lewis like a ton of bricks, stunning the lad into silence for a few seconds - but he quickly recovered and decided not to duck the question. “Yeah, I did,” he replied as nonchalantly as he could. “His name’s Scott Taylor - he won the title here a couple of times.”
    “I thought as much!” Lee exclaimed. “When I was watching the match earlier, I was sure that I recognised his voice. He was one of the commentators... So, did you manage to track him down and say thanks?”
    Lewis flinched at that one, but he couldn’t fathom why. It wasn’t as if there was anything to hide – other than having dinner with him... and a history of teenage lusting after the former champion which had recently reared its inappropriate little head again in very dramatic fashion. “Yeah, I managed to find him,” Lewis said with a chuckle to disguise the misplaced guilt that he felt. “Oddly enough, he’s been helping me with my preparations. That’s why he turned up to the match that day. I didn’t know he was going to get