Chapter 54
After a pretty boring summer October came around quite quickly for Chris who in the space of three months had
Formed an elder brotherly relationship with Lola
Met another new moon brother – Anthony
Found out that Max and Tanya were sleeping together
Been flirted with by Tanya's mother Cora
"Hello sweetness" said Michael approaching the now very heavily pregnant Amber as she walked down Bridge Street
"What do you want Michael" said Amber "Everyone hates you after what you did to Tyler"
"I just want a minute of your time" said Michael
"Fine" said Amber "Well" she finished when Michael still hadn't said anything. He sighed and put his hands on her shoulders
"I'm struggling Amber" he said looking her in the eyes
"How do you mean" asked Amber narrowing her eyes suspiciously
"Lately I've been feeling certain things for someone I really shouldn't" said Michael "And I don't think I can hold it in anymore"
"Is it Janine" asked Amber "Because I've noticed you spending quite a lot of time together recently"
"Janine's just a fling" said Michael "She's not a keeper; the woman I've been thinking about is a keeper. I love her"
"Well just tell her how you feel" said Amber stroking his arm affectionately feeling quite sorry for Michael "I'm sure she'll feel the same way"
"So you think I should just tell her" said Michael
"Yes" said Amber nodding "Yes I do"
"OK then" said Michael taking a deep breath "Amber"
"What" she said kindly smiling again
"I'm in love with you" finished Michael
...
"Made any progress with Whitney yet" said Chris clapping Tyler on the back as he walked into the emporium
"Nothing" said Tyler "I really don't know where I'm going wrong"
"Being an ugly munter might have something to do with it" suggested Anthony and Chris smirked to himself
"Whitney's very... vulnerable" said Chris "She's been hurt by blokes in the past so she's gonna find it hard to trust another one"
"Well how bad has her love life been" said Tyler
"Well" said Chris "One's in prison, one died of alcohol poisoning, one moved to Devon after pushing a woman down the stairs, one turned out to be a pimp and one was beaten over the head with a crowbar by her step mum"
Tyler and Anthony's eyed widened
"But I'm sure you'll be OK" said Chris
...
"This is a joke" said Amber slowly as she followed Michael into the boxing ring
"No word of a lie" said Michael "I love you Amber"
"How we barely ever speak" said Amber "If I'm honest I thought your name was Mick until Chris corrected me last week"
"Ah, Chris" said Michael "He may be the thing getting in the way"
"In the way of what" said Amber suspiciously
"Of us being together silly" said Michael
"We're not getting together" said Amber beginning to feel nervous around Michael. She began to back out of the gym slowly
"Don't go" said Michael running after her "We can be together. We can run away make a fresh start with your baby"
"I love Chris" said Amber pushing him backwards
"Why does everyone love this kid" said Michael annoyed "He's arrogant, cocky, rude and if I'm honest a bit ugly in some lights"
"Well he doesn't try to force relationships" said Amber "He doesn't put his brother in hospital to get one up on his dad, well he couldn't do that one seen as though his dad's dead and no one knows where his brother is, and he isn't a creep"
"You think I'm a creep" said Michael "Tell me Amber why exactly you hate me? What have I ever done to you"
"I love Chris" repeated Amber after struggling to think. Michael had spotted this hesitation
"I sense doubt" said Michael "Maybe you're too scared to leave. Yeah. Yeah. That's it. I heard Chris's brother was a bit of a loose cannon and I know his sister was and his mum deffinately is. Maybe he's the same. D'you feel trapped Amber? D'you feel scared?"
"No I don't" said Amber "I love Chris with all my heart. All ways have and all ways will. I don't know what sick game you are playing Michael Moon but stop it. We will never be together" she finished before storming out of the gym
"Oh but we will" said Michael looking at himself in the mirror "It's just a matter of time and then Chris Slater's life will be destroyed"
