Chapter 2
Amber
I wasn't at all sure if I wanted Aidan watching me training. What if I screwed up in front of him? It would be very embarrassing. It would be fun to travel to Greenock and back with Aidan though and we would be able to get to know each other even better.
"When will you know if you're booked on the show?" I asked.
"I will ring Ross tomorrow," Aidan told me.
Our food arrived then and we tucked in hungrily.
"You know I was really surprised you kissed me earlier. But I liked it. A lot," I said.
"Me too," Aidan said.
"It would be neat if we could work together regularly wrestling wise. But I don't see how we can as we are in different promotions," I said.
"Yeah and it sucks. But I don't see why I can't manage you if you guys are booked on a show and I'm booked to wrestle there too," Aidan said.
"Would LPW be ok with it?" I asked.
"They'd have to be if you guys have a working arrangement with them like we do," Aidan said.
He smiled at me and took my hands in his.
"I've had a really good time with you today and this evening. I really hope we can see each other regularly," Aidan said.
Aidan
Amber smiled at me
"I feel the same," she said.
Our food arrived then and we tucked in. I was concerned that IPW might tell us we weren't allowed to have anything to do with London Women's Wrestling Alliance. If they did it would make it very awkward being Amber's boyfriend. I didn't think they'd be happy about us dating if that was the case. But I knew they couldn't stop us working together if both promotions had a working arrangement with BPW. If LPW didn't want us to have anything to do with LWWA I would have to obey the ruling and not go to their shows. But I would just keep quiet about Amber and I dating as what they didn't know wouldn't hurt them. I really felt it should be my decision as to whom I dated.
"I forgot to say earlier I LOVE your gear. How did you come up with your name and gimmick?" I asked Amber.
"I'm from New Zealand originally and Taika is Maori for Tiger or Tigress so Tigress in my case and the tiger gimmick and music go with my name," she said.
When we were done eating we went back to my place where we talked.
"I can't wait to perform in my first live show in front of a real live audience. I mean a proper audience not just the small audience we had today," Amber said.
"You'll love it, I promise," I said.
Amber
When it grew late Aidan took me back to my place. I'd had an amazing time with him and couldn't wait to find out if he'd be coming up to Greenock the next weekend. The next evening I was relaxing at home when Aidan called me.
"Guess what! I'm booked on PBW's show next weekend," Aidan said.
"Who are you wrestling?" I asked.
"Kenny Williams," Aidan said.
"Wow cool," I said.
"And I've asked for you to manage me," Aidan said.
"Awesome," I said.
I was super excited to be able to appear in front of a live crowd even if I wouldn't actually be wrestling. I hoped the week wouldn't drag as I knew I couldn't wait for the next weekend. It was going to be awesome to be able to learn so much at the training camp. Over that week I prepared for the camp and on the Friday when Maxine called to confirm travelling arrangements I broke the news to her.
"I've made other arrangements to get to Greenock," I said.
"How are you travelling up?" she asked.
"Aidan. He's in the PBW show and he's invited me to travel up with him," I said.
"Wowsers girl he must really like you then," Maxine said.
"I think he does," I said.
Aidan
The next morning I was up early as it was a long drive up to Greenock. To my annoyance Vinny Storm had also been booked on the PBW show and had asked if he could drive up with me to save petrol. I had agreed as he had a fair point and hoped that Amber wouldn't mind. He didn't even know Amber was training to be a wrestler so would be finding out. He was driving to mine from his place in London and leaving his car there while we were in Greenock. I had breakfast then did my last minute packing and loaded my car then waited for Vinny. When he arrived I added his luggage to the boot of my car and then we were off.
"We've a stop to make before we head out of London," I said to Vinny.
"Someone else coming up to Greenock as well huh?" Vinny said.
"Yes. Amber is training with that new promotion LWWA and they are attending the training weekend. I offered her a ride up if I was going which I am," I said.
"She's one of us now?" Vinny asked.
"Yes as in she's a wrestler but no as in she's not part of LPW," I said.
"Is she any good?" Vinny asked.
"She's doing extremely well for having only been training a few months," I said.
"I look forward to seeing what she can do," Vinny said.
Amber
I was ready to go when Aidan pulled into my driveway. I grabbed my bags and saying goodbye to my flatmate headed out the door. When I reached Aidan's car I saw Vinny in the front seat and immediately wondered what was going on and felt somewhat uncomfortable. This wasn't what I'd expected after all and I wasn't sure how comfortable I would be with Vinny being with us. Aidan had gotten out of the car and he must have seen the expression on my face.
"I'm sorry about this but Vinny got booked as well on the PBW show and he asked if we could carpool. I'm as unhappy as you are about things but it made sense that he come with us. Please don't be upset, you'll be fine I promise," Aidan said.
I nodded but I wasn't convinced. Together Aidan and I loaded my bags into the boot and then I got in the back behind Aidan. Vinny and I said hello to each other and then we lapsed into silence as we drove out of the city. It became quickly obvious how awkward it was going to be as I knew there were things Aidan and I had wanted to talk about and now couldn't since Vinny was there. To my relief they included me in the conversation and Vinny didn't seem to mind me being with them.
Aidan
Soon the three of us were chatting and I could tell that Amber had relaxed and seemed to be enjoying herself. Vinny was interested to hear about Amber's training up to that point in time and what her goals were wrestling wise. Amber had been training for four months and had already learnt quite a few moves, throws and holds. Her character as I already knew was a heel and like me she had a cocky, arrogant gimmick but when it came down to it she was a coward. It would be a full on weekend for Amber but she was looking forward to it. Vinny and I weren't going to be participating in the training camp but we had been told we could watch the classes if we wanted. We were going to stay with some of the PBW wrestlers and Amber was staying with the other LWWA girls at Carmel's place. Carmel was one of the PBW female roster members. Our first stop was to eat lunch. When we got out of my car, I smiled at Amber and even though Vinny was there slipped my hand into hers.
"Oh so that's why you offered Amber a ride up to Greenock. I should have guessed it was something like this," Vinny said.
He grinned at us both and when we'd ordered and gotten our food sat several booths over from us.
Amber
It was great to get some privacy with Aidan.
"I'm having a great time with you. Even though Vinny is along for the ride," I said.
"Same here," Aidan said.
"Did Vin not know that you were keen on me before today?" I asked.
"No he didn't," Aidan said, "He also didn't know that you're a wrestler," he ended.
"Well I guess he's been smartened up now," I said.
"Yeah. His being with us means I haven't been able to talk to you about what I had wanted to," Aidan said.
"And that being?" I asked.
"I can't stop thinking about you Amber. This isn't just a crush it's more than that. I think I'm in love with you," Aidan said.
I smiled as I liked what I was hearing.
"I love you too," I found myself saying.
"Ooh Amber and Aidan up the tree K.I.S.S.I.N.G," Vinny said, his head popping up over the booth.
"Buzz off Vin," Aidan said.
Unfortunately the damage was done as the moment had been spoilt. We finished eating in silence and I could tell that Aidan was really brassed off at Vinny.
Aidan
I was really cross with Vinny as he'd totally ruined the moment. And he didn't seem to realize it. We decided to get back on the road so dumping our rubbish in the bins met back out at the car after we'd visited the facilities there. To my surprise Vinny decided he'd go in the back for the next leg of the trip so Amber got in the front and Vinny in the back. Once we were back on the road we chatted again and sang along to the CD's I had in the car.
"So are you guys an item now?" Vinny asked.
"That's what we were talking about when you very kindly ruined the moment," I said.
"Whoops. My bad," Vinny said, grinning.
I shot him a look and he grinned again.
"Were you going to kiss her?" Vinny asked.
"Maybe" I said.
"You should go for it with Amber," Vinny said.
"What do you think I'm trying to do idiot," I said.
"This is good. I'm gonna have to tell the others," Vinny said.
"Don't you dare," I said.
But he was already typing away on his phone.
"Aidan has a new girlfriend," Vinny said as he typed, "And Send," he said as he touched the send button.
"Bastard," I said.
Amber
I wasn't surprised that Vinny was giving Aidan such a hard time about his interest in me. I knew they were good mates both in and out of the ring and that Vinny must have been chuffed that Aidan was happy again. When I'd moved to Greenwich 5 months earlier Aidan had still been seeing his ex-partner Sarah and I didn't hold out any hope that things would change any time soon. But to my surprise I'd found out he was single again a month after I'd moved. I'd secretly hoped that I now had a chance with him now that I was in Greenwich. And it seemed I did. Aidan and I started singing along to the CD Aidan had put in and soon Vinny was singing along too. We didn't stop again until we reached our next stop where we stretched our legs and had some afternoon tea. Vinny told us he was going to go for a walk to stretch his legs and after he'd disappeared Aidan smiled at me.
"I think he's trying to give us some privacy as he knows he screwed up earlier. I don't know if he realized it straight away but he has now," Aidan said.
"Yeah," I said.
We walked to a nearby coffee bar and bought some savouries and drinks.
"As I was saying earlier I think I'm in love with you. And I'm really hoping we can try things out. You and me. What do you say? Will you be my girl?" Aidan asked.
"I would love to. I've been attracted to you both physically and your personality for a long time. I've been hoping you'd ask me that," I said.
Aidan
Finally I'd asked Amber what I'd wanted to ask her for a long long time. And she felt the same way about me that I felt about her. As we continued to eat I reached out and took her hand in mine. Amber squeezed it and smiled at me. When we were done eating we headed back to the car my arm around Amber's waist. When we got to the car Vinny wasn't back so we stood by the car to wait.
"We might as well take advantage of this," I said, sliding my arms around Amber's waist.
"Mmm lets," Amber said, leaning close to me.
Our lips were inches apart and I closed the gap brushing her lips with mine. She responded to my kiss and soon our kiss had deepened, the feelings we'd suppressed for so long pouring out.
"Eww get a room," Vinny's voice broke into our kiss. We drew apart and glared at him in mock anger.
"Ready to get going Vin?" I asked.
"Yeah," Vinny said.
He smiled at me.
"So you're trying things out I guess. I'm sorry I spoilt the moment when we had lunch. I was a dick. Forgive me?" Vin said.
"Of course," I said.
I was too happy to be upset with him.
Amber
I was riding in the back again as it as Vinny's turn to be in the front. We made good progress south and eventually reached Greenock at 4pm. When we arrived at Carmel's place Aidan unloaded my bags and carried them inside for me. As he and Vinny had to carry on to where they were staying Aidan smiled at me.
"I'll see you tomorrow babe," he said.
We hugged and shared a kiss and then he was gone. When I turned around after waving goodbye to him everyone was looking at me with big grins on their faces.
"Alright girl spill. We want all the juicy details. When and where," Maxine said.
So I told them what had happened from when Aidan had seen me wrestling at the open day until then.
"You're managing him on Sunday night?" Maxine asked.
"Yes that's right," I said.
"So you're together in and out of the ring," Amanda Rose asked.
"Yes we are. I'm ecstatic as I've liked Aidan for a long time and always hoped something would happen between us," I said.
"Congratulations," Carmel said.