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

“That’s why I said yes to the interview,” Drew said. “I don’t mean because of the picture itself, but because you were there. You’re local. I’ve had a couple of offers from national papers. Offering money.”


“Ah…we can’t pay you anything.”


“I know. But you were there. You’d have a better feel for the story, I thought.”


Paul wasn’t actually local as such. He’d come up north nearly a decade ago. Getting a good long way from home had been important to him. Staying away continued to be so. He had a flash of hope that Drew had another reason for granting the interview. That he’d wanted to see Paul again. He dismissed it as unlikely. Drew had seen him first in the harsh glare of the arc lights, then in the grayness of dawn. He couldn’t imagine Drew had been fantasizing about him since. But even if it was true, nothing could happen. Paul didn’t dare.


“Are we finished?” Drew asked. He rubbed his eyes. His hands were shaking.


Chapter 20