Journalist Paul Bradley reports on an act of heroism by paramedic Drew McGregor and goes on to have him nominated for a bravery award. Drew's heroism is a great story that Paul wants to make the most of, but he has other reasons to want to see the great-looking and openly gay Drew again. Ones he doesn't dare speak about, since he's deeply closeted and terrified of being outed, fearing losing his career.<br><br>When Drew accidentally finds out Paul is gay, he's initially angry at the deception, but he's sympathetic too and his kindness encourages Paul to confess his feelings. Drew likes Paul, but won't date a closeted man, saying that leads to too many lies, too much pain. Paul will have to reevaluate all the choices he’s made for the sake of career and family, if he wants Drew to give him a chance.

Role Model

Drew rang off. Paul looked at the phone until it timed out and its screen went blank, leaving him in pitch blackness again. In the darkness he answered Drew’s question. Admitted it softly to the shadows.


“Yes. It would have been a bigger story.”


The next Friday, Paul checked into a budget chain hotel in Manchester. He could afford a better hotel, but he wanted the anonymity. He left the room at nearly 10:00 p.m. and headed straight for the place he always came to when he had these monthly “weekends away.”


Canal Street. The gay pubs and bars. He never dared go to any of the scene bars back home. Not that therewere many. Two pubs that put a rainbow flag out. One monthly gay night at their one nightclub. He’d never been. The town was too small to dare.


Chapter 9