Runaway Baby

Chapter 1

"Why Clare? Why would you do this?"

Yes Dec and Clare had odd arguments here and there but this wasn't just another fussy exchange of words. This had raw emotions of betrayal and anger moulded in every single syllable he uttered.

"I know I'm not the perfect guy on your list I know I cannot be here all the time for you but I was trying I was trying to get back to what we were I was trying to get things back to normal. Why would you?" Clare stood there in absolute silence. She wanted to tell him that he was still the only guy she loves but she knew it had gone too far. She got carried away she had lost her senses to charm of another man and no one but her was to be blamed for it.

"Are you going to speak up for goodness sakes?"

Dec had started to tear up. He still couldn't believe that all those tabloids were in fact right about Clare's relationship with Darren. They were together for more than 7 years now and there was not a single sense of doubt between the two. It was not until one day he found Clare on the phone with that Darren character and overheard their conversation. He was shattered beyond repair and Clare's silence only made the situation worse.

"I'm sorry Declan! I didn't mean to do this. It was just a one night off thing we were both drunk and...

"It's easy for you innit? Easy to apologise and blame the alcohol for everything. Why? Don't I drink? Don't women hit on me aye? If I wanted I could have done the same thing and play the blame game.. Have I ever cheated on you? This is all a mess. I cannot even deal with this anymore"

Dec took his jacket and walked out of the house-slamming door behind him leaving Clare shattered. He was hurt and wanted to be by himself for a while. Well by himself just meant grabbing a pint with Ant.

He walked across the street with tears in his eyes too scared to let his feelings out in the public. He walked as fast as he could avoiding any eye contact with his hoodie on in hopes that no one recognised him. He reached his flat and knocked rather aggressively.

"Oi you're quite early for footy"

Ant was too busy fiddling with the controller that he simply opened the door and walked right back to their sofa seats.

"Dec could you get me spare batteries from the top left shelf?"

Ant waited for a reply for a few seconds but there was no sound wave to be heard. He finally shifted his attention from controller to his best friend who stood at the door numb. His eyes filled with anger and hatred, which started to run down in form of tears. At once Ant pulled him in for a hug.
"Is Lisa coming over today? I promise I won't ruin in your plans . I'll just stay in me room all day"

Ant knew something was too wrong with the situation. Dec grabbed every possible opportunity to be a troublemaker around him and Lisa and the couple loved his presence. The four of them made the perfect group.

"What is the matter mate?"

"She's....She's been cheating on me Ant"

It took Ant a minute to comprehend with what he'd just heard. Dec and Clare were the most perfect couple he knew of. They'd often help Ant and Lisa deal with their relationship woos. He knew Dec loved her with all his heart and has always been head over heals in love with her.

"You'se joking ain't ya?"

Dec buried his head and tightened his grip around Ant. That was enough to answer his question.

"Alright its alright! Calm down for a while Dec! Here, sit down"

Ant adjusted cushions on their sofa and slowly Dec settled down.

"Now go on– what exactly happened between you two?"

Dec narrated the entire incident with a lump in his throat. Ant passed him a bottle of beer. Dec gave a faint smile as sat there in his agony drinking away the pain.

"So what have you thought about it?"

"Thought about what Ant?"

"About your relationship Declan.."

Dec had no answer about it. Yes he was hurt but she was still the only woman he loved and had loved ever since he knew what attraction and love meant.

He still had all those scented letters that he first wrote her. He still couldn't deny the fact that he had spent £82 just to buy the best after-shave fragrance to woo her.

Ant judged the reason for his silence.

"Can you let her go?"
"What?"
"I said could you let her go Dec?"
"No! I .. But she.."

No one could blame Dec for the hesitancy of the answer but this was enough to prove he wasn't giving up on her just yet.

"Then go there tomorrow morning and work it through! Tell her you still need this and tell her you still need her you understand me son?"

Ant moved to the sofa while Dec adjusted himself closer Ant's body. He put his head on Ant's shoulder and stayed there to cuddle a bit.

"You know Anth you're the best mate I could have asked for"
"I'm still not ordering chinese today....It's still burger king"

"Aye I thought I had you there! "

They sat there watching footy for the rest of the evening before Dec went off to his room to grab some much needed sleep for he had a lot to make up tomorrow.