Naked Hero - The Journey Away

She needed some light relief after the angst of earlier. “So when do we get the pleasure?” she asked. “We met him briefly in Sydney, but I had no idea that he would become your beau.”
    “Beau!” cackled Lewis; then as eyes from neighbouring tables turned to look in his direction, he lowered his voice. “I doubt if Lee would ever be classed as anyone’s ‘beau’, Marie. But you might get to meet him on Monday. He’s coming to my match.”
    Marie raised her thin eyebrows, shocked but thrilled at this exciting development. “Well, well! Do you think that is wise?” she asked.
    “Maybe not… but it’s good,” was the curt response.
    Marie considered this for a moment. They were treating it as a joke, but it was a serious matter, and one that she was eminently qualified to discuss. “Will he be your official guest?” she enquired, well aware of the significance - it was a role she had played for years.
    “Of course,” replied Lewis.
    “A man in your box, Lewis! The gay world will be intrigued, and I suspect a lot of the mainstream media as well. I hope you know what you’re doing.”
    Lewis shrugged. “I’ve made my decision to invite him. The media can say what they like about it - beau or no beau.”
    Marie looked to Chantal in an attempt to bring her in, but the girlfriend rejected her cue. “Do you not want him as such… as a beau?” Marie asked, determined to keep the conversation rolling. “Surely you are not going to take advantage of him, then cast him aside like the other one in Sydney. He might not like it, then get nasty, like the other one did.”
    “Take advantage of him!” laughed Lewis at the thought. “It was Lee Porter that you met at the party, Marie, or are we talking about a different person?”
    Marie raised her hand in apology. “Sorry... But seriously, Lewis - do you really know what you’re letting yourself in for here?”
    Dark eyes met as Lewis returned Marie’s gaze, and he was touched by the genuine concern that was there. “No. If I’m honest, I don’t,” he admitted. “But maybe you just need to take a chance sometimes, jump in and see what happens, rather than worrying about it endlessly and never actually doing anything. As you said, it’s the story, not the ending that really matters.”
    Touche! Her own argument thrown back at her - Marie had to admit that Lewis was getting better at this game. “And what about your other man, what does he think about all this?” she asked, moving seamlessly on.
    “Scott? He’s just working with me for this fortnight, Marie. He’s just having dinner with us. That’s all.”
    He was b etter at the game, but still transparent to a sharp mind like Marie Clement’s. Her interest was heightening - Lewis was being far too defensive. She grinned at him sarcastically having flicked a glance to her girlfriend. “Dinner can lead to so many things, I can assure you, Lewis.”
    Lewis remained silent , answering with a look that said she was pushing too far. “I’m sorry, Lewis,” continued Marie, backing off a tad. “I have teased you enough. But tell me, what does Scott really think about Lee coming to see you?”
    It was still uncomfortable ground, but Lewis politely answered. “He seems to be okay about it. We haven’t discussed it much, other than he’s coming to the match. Scott knows what Lee does. I thought he would back off once he realised... you know, seeing the website that I told you about, but he’s just carried on, no issue.”
    “Interesting!” said Marie. “But how do you think he will react when he sees you together?”
    “Now that might be awkward if it happens. It’s going to be awkward for a number of people. Gays are always a lot more threatening when they come in pairs, I suppose. You two scare the life out of me!”
    Marie gave hi m a small round of applause. “Very funny, Lewis! You should take to the stage... But please, tell me, what do you make of Mr. Taylor himself?”
    Lewis told her the truth , or at least a part of it. “I think he’s great. He’s my hero. I know it sounds corny, but it’s true, he’s my idol… always has been. I can’t believe my luck that he’s working with me.”
    “And how is that going?” asked Marie, her mind racing to interpret what was being said and what she heard between the lines.
    “Well, I’m still in the tournament,” Lewis continued, feeding her more, “Just having him around makes a big difference to me. He makes me feel