Knowing You

A/N: Here's another chapter, sorry it's not too long but I decided to post now instead of waiting until next week to do so. And to answer a review, the M/F/M, it is to imply a love triangle, not a smorgy! Atleast not in this fic. Another comment, I will add the end pairing will mostly LIKELY be Taree/Dante.


Warnings: Okay only two here, Language and some mild Violence, very mild really....



Chapter Seven




“So how did the party go?” Joey reached for the ketchup bottle, aiming the question at her sullen best friend.


“Horrible! My parents are still refusing to talk to me, not to mention the lecture I received.” The lecture Taree had received was nothing compared to the grilling Dante had let her have. She still cringed at the way he’d spoken to her. All she could say was “Oops!”, not like she’d meant for people to lose control of their bowels in the middle of the living room or kitchen. The cost of the cleaning had already been taken out of her paycheck.


“That bad huh? I saw that red tart at the mall, she didn’t look too happy. So how bad was the bathroom thing? You didn’t use both packets did you?” Joey doused her fries with mustard as well.


“Yes, and I regret it now. If I didn’t want Dante to speak to me ever again, I accomplished it. Not to mention I’m lucky I have to work or I would have been put on restriction. Mom was livid hearing how Mrs. Bartley had shit on the tile.”


“I bet,” the blonde giggled, despite knowing that the party had been ruined. “They’ll get over it, screw em.”


“Easy for you to say, you don’t have to live there.” Right now, Taree wanted nothing more than to move out on her own. “If I could come up with a large, fat, green check, I’d move the fuck out and be done with it.”


“Yeah, me too. I’m even tempted to have Uncle Jared’s baby.”


“Excuse me!???” Taree felt the potato lodge in her throat at the statement. What in the hell was Joey trying to say? Incest was, well, nasty, considering she knew that Uncle Jared was in fact Joey’s father’s younger brother, all blood relation.


“Oh, it’s a damn shame that he’s my real uncle. Remember he got married like six years ago, to some cheap little tart we said was after his money? Okay, so like a year after they are married comes around and she has to have a hysterectomy. They took it all out, she was only twenty-two at the time, if I remember correctly. Last month he turned thirty-five and decides he wants to have a kid. He told Dad that they have discussed adoption, but he wants a child of his own.”


“I take it they are looking for a surrogate mother,” Taree couldn’t recall the wife that well, since she didn’t make it a hobby to hang out with Joey’s family.


“Yes, but the wife isn’t that keen on the idea, since they took everything. I mean, it’s not like they can use one of her eggs since she doesn’t have any. So, no matter how you look at it, the child won’t really be hers. She wants to go with the adoption, he doesn’t.”


“Understandable, but either way the child won’t be hers.” Taree kept her opinion to herself on the matter. From her view, the woman would take a child that wasn’t hers as long as it wasn’t her husband’s either.


“I said the same, but they don’t listen to me. Well, I heard him tell Dad that he’s going to the agency to see about the surrogate. He’s willing to pay twenty-five grand for the service, that’s a lot of money. Come to think about it, that is a nice way to make some cash. I would go sign up if I wasn’t worried about the weight gain during the pregnancy. Oh, and to think of the stretch marks!”


“Oh hush,” Taree sprinkled more salt over the fries. It was rather sweet that some women would put themselves through it for desperate couples.


“Why don’t you do it?” Joey laughed at the suggestion. Seeing the horrified look cross Taree’s face made it worth the harsh kick to her shin. “Oh come on, the money would be nice and it’s only nine months of your life. You’d earn more in that time than you do working, plus, they cover all the medical expenses.”


“And are they going to pay for the fat suction afterwards too?” Taree wasn’t about to risk gaining back all that weight. If pregnant women got cravings then she’d be shit out of luck. For weeks she’d waited anxiously for her period to begin, despairing that she might share that fate.


“Not all pregnant women get fat, you just have to eat healthy.” Joey cocked her head to the side as the door swung open. “Shit, don’t turn around. Don’t look!”


Too late, Taree swung her head around to see who she wasn’t supposed to be looking at. It was Sheila, the redhead hadn’t seen her yet, thankfully. Her hand reached over quickly to snatch the menu and cover up her face.


“Good thinking,” Joey watched the redhead woman scan the area, obviously expecting someone. Not caring if the woman saw her or not, she watched with great interest. A very stunning, hot, and tall gentleman rose up from a booth in the back. She had to admit that the guy was just as sexy as Dante, just a darker version.


“Oh my, holy fucksticks, she’s kissing him.” Joey exclaimed as the redhead threw her arms around the guy’s shoulders without care. It was the last thing she’d expect to see in the middle of the fast food joint.


“What?” Taree brought the plastic down and stared in dismay. Her soon to be sister in law had those bright red lips mashed into the guy’s face. Could they breath? “Wait, what the hell? Why is she kissing him?”


“Don’t know, let’s get out of here before she sees us. I’ll go pay the check, you head outside and wait for me.” Joey instructed, leaving no room for argument.


Taree nodded and snatched up her purse, so much for enjoying lunch. She could hardly believe what she’d just seen. It was hard to pretend it was anything but what it was. You didn’t suck face like that with a friend, who was the guy? The urge to go confront the redhead was strong, only knowing that nothing would come out of it kept her heading towards the front door.


Once outside, she was even more tempted to turn around and bring something down over that over inflated head. How could Sheila swap spit with someone else? Questions burned on the tip of her tongue as the seconds ticked by.


“Okay, I’m ready and she didn’t notice me. Who the hell was the hunk?” Joey clucked her tongue in confusion.


“I don’t know, what the hell was she doing playing tongue hockey with him? I wonder if Dante realizes that she has that type of relationship with another male.” Taree knew he didn’t, he wouldn’t put up with a cheating female.


“Doubt it, but do you think he’d believe you if you told him?” Joey had a feeling that the brunette would want to do just that.


“I don’t know, I doubt it but can I just ignore what we saw? She’s probably cheating on him or is about to and they are supposed to be getting married. How can I not tell him what we saw?” Taree fell in step beside Joey, aiming for the car.


“That’s up to you but I’m not getting into it. It’s his life and if he doesn’t suspect something already than he’s stupid. Someone like her can only love themselves, he’s an idiot if he doesn’t see it.”


“That’s the problem! He is an idiot, and he can’t look past a pair of big tits. He’s actually no better than your own brother, they think with their cocks.” Taree didn’t have to point out Kale’s relationship with Cloe, the hostess that was dumber than a gnat.


“Yes, and no, I mean don’t get me wrong about Kale. He is my brother and I do love him, despite the fact that he’s an annoying, cocky, big mouth, know-it-all. I don’t think he’s serious about Cloe, she’s just a piece for now. It puts him in a bad light, but I think he just hasn’t found someone to perk his interests. Now, if he came home and announced he was going to marry someone like that then I’d hog tie him and run him over with my car.”


“Ha! That’s the difference between your brother and mine, yours is too smart and mine is a dumb ass.” Taree walked around to open up her car door.


“Good point, I blame my idiocy on him, he got all the smarts years before I was conceived. I always told him he was a greedy bastard,” Joey climbed behind the steering wheel, not really meaning the insult. Sure, Kale was intelligent but she had been blessed with the looks.


The car turned over, as both girls thought about their siblings. Taree wasn’t sure if she should tell Dante, it would have been easier if she’d had someone like Kale as her brother. If Kale’s girlfriend were cheating, he’d be the first one to figure it out.





Taree shifted uncomfortably as the doorbell sounded, too loudly for her liking. The pep talk she’d given herself on the way over here, was quickly diminishing as footsteps came towards the closed door. She knew Dante was home, his vehicle was in the parking lot and the lights were on. It was seven in the evening, she’d come over right after dinner.


All through dinner she’d debated on what to do with what she’d seen. It was best to tell him what she saw, it might be a misunderstanding on her part. ‘Yeah right!,’ she groaned as his voice told her to hang on.


There was no way to interpret what she’d seen at the diner today. Sheila had crammed her tongue into another guy’s mouth. The two might not be sleeping together yet, but it was still wrong. She wished he didn’t have to hear it from her of all people, fate deemed she’d be the one to witness it.


The frame swung open to reveal a red-eyed Dante, wearing only a pair of grey sweats. The sight of his bare chest had her tongue swelling and sticking to the roof of her mouth. Didn’t he know how to put on clothes before answering the door?


“What do you want?” he snapped as she just stood there staring at him rudely.


“Oh, sorry. Can I come in for a few minutes?” She didn’t want to spill the beans while standing on the doorstep. This was something best left to be shared in private.


“Whatever, suit yourself.” He moved out of the way and left the door open for her to follow him inside.


She couldn’t believe the state of the place, it looked like a pigsty. Clothes were everywhere, a few empty bottles were on the coffee table. Were those liquor bottles? She couldn’t make out the labels from where she was standing but the way he staggered over to the couch spoke for itself. Did he already know? It would explain why he was drinking.


“Want some?” He lifted the bottle he’d been nursing before he’d been rudely interrupted. He’d run out of Grey Goose over an hour ago, so all that was left was a cheap version. At this point it all tasted the same to him.


“No, I don’t drink, you know this.” Taree wanted to snatch the bottle out of his hand and dump it in the sink. Had he drunk all this today? How was he still standing? “You’ll be lucky if you don’t die from alcohol poisoning.”


“Really? Guess that would make you happy, sorry but I feel just fine.” He felt so good, he took another sip of the clear liquid. Where was his orange juice? Oh right, he’d ran out of that already too. “What did you do here?”


“I assume you are trying to ask what I’m doing here. I came to talk to you, I don’t think it’s a good idea now.” She wanted to smack some sense into him, all for being a moron. “Why the hell are you drinking anyways?”


“Felt like it, sure dit.”


The smell coming from him was enough to make the chicken she’d had for dinner want to come back up. His apartment was always nice and tidy, a hurricane had recently come through. She hadn’t come here to lecture him on being a slob or a drunk.


“Go away.”


“No, put that bottle down. I didn’t come over to watch you get shit faced. I need to talk to you about something important. That is proving to be impossible since you are plastered.” She wasn’t sure if he’d remember if she told him. Not to mention she wasn’t sure how he’d react in this state.


“I don’t feel like talking and I’m not drunk yet. You aren’t who I want to see, so find the door.” He didn’t feel like looking at anyone right now. He was sure there was a reason why he felt so pissed off but he couldn’t remember what it was. Yeah, hadn’t she done something to irk him? “Go call Sheila for me, I need her.”


Taree took a deep breath, ignoring how the dismissal stung. She knew she wasn’t wanted but obviously Sheila didn’t care enough to be here instead of with someone else. “I can’t.”


“Sure you can, don’t you know how to use a phone? I can’t seem to find mine, so use yours.” He leaned against the back of the black leather of his couch. “It’s the least you can do, you coming over uninvited.”


“You invited me inside and I highly doubt Sheila wants to be disturbed.” She snapped as he lifted the bottle to his mouth. Some of it dribbled out of the corner as he downed it at the harsh tone of accusation he must have heard in her voice.


“What the hell is that supposed to mean? Just tell I want her to come by.” He was sure she’d come over and do something about his headache. “Get to it Piglet, before I vomit.”


“Well then VOMIT!!!!” Taree stomped her foot before moving forward. His eyes widened as she slapped the bottle, causing it to do a complete spin before landing on the green carpet. “I’m not calling your stupid bitch, nor am I picking that up. Once you are sober you can do it, or Sheila can do it after she is done fucking her new boyfriend.”


There was no retort, or even realization in his eyes at the implied accusation. Taree thought for a brief second that his mind had shut down as the bottle had vacated his hand. She could swear she actually heard the sound of cracking flesh before the pain erupted in her face. It almost happened in slow motion, her brain taking in every agonizing mini-second of pain.


The momentum of the blow had her falling backwards, out of reflex her hands came out. That didn’t help with the impact of her chest colliding with one of the coffee tables. As the lamp crashed into her, she should have been thankful she’d been on the opposite side of his bottle collection.


There was a searing pulsing in her palm, that rivaled the pain in her face. Seconds ticked by, her brain having suffered a temporary setback. Heavy breathing clouded her mind, it was her own, she was starting to cry. How could she not?


Getting to her feet proved to be trying and almost impossible to do since she discovered using her left hand wasn’t an option. A sliver of glass was wedged deep, the sight of the crimson liquid seeping out of the torn flesh made her stomach pitch. Knowing she was going to be sick, she hastily stumbled to the front door.


The cool air did nothing to ease the upset, she doubled over. The contents of her stomach painted the grey pavement in disgusting splashes. Bile continued to choke her, her throat constricting and convulsing.


The sound of her name was all her feet needed, she took off into the parking lot. The pain in her hand and face were no longer an inconvenience. All she could focus on was putting some distance between herself and there, staying meant accepting.


She made it as far as two blocks before finding a place to squat down. A pathetic laugh escaped her throat seeing where she was sitting. It was the old abandoned house where they use to play as kids. It was in this same place that she’d been tossed down the stairs while tied up in a pillow case.


Minutes went by, her mind slowly began to take in her circumstances. A hollow feeling settled in her gut, having nothing to do with the massive vomiting session. She had to get her hand seen to and to get home. Digging inside her jeans, she dialed the first number she could think of.





“There,” Joey pointed as the car pulled up to the curb. Panic had her jumping out of the passenger door before her brother had it in park. She’d been enjoying a beer as her phone rang, ending their dinner. It wasn’t often that her and Kale got together, just when she was bored.


Kale shrugged but stepped out of the car, to walk on over out of curiosity. Why did he have to be considerate? Joey had said that the girl sounded upset and distraught, was that his problem? Ending dinner because the twit was upset over some guy wasn’t going to make him happy or put him in a cheerful mood.


“Taree?” Joey could see the outline of the crouched figure, huddled near the front door. What had happened?


She lifted her head hearing her name, this time the voice was welcomed. Taree smiled weakly as the blonde’s eyes landed on her in the dim light. She wasn’t sure how she looked, if the soreness on the left side of her face looked as bad as it felt, she looked like shit.


“What the fuck happened?” Joey knelt down seeing the swelling on the pale cheek, a green tinge was starting to form. Both lips were also split open, dried blood coated the trembling chin. “Who the hell did this?”


“I went over to his place, he was drinking, I don’t think he meant to.” At least she didn’t want to believe that he’d meant to. Taree fought the urge to cry again, she wouldn’t pout. Besides, her hand wasn’t hurting that much anymore.


“Don’t make excuses for him.” Kale drew attention to himself, “Her hand is bleeding, let’s get her in the car. Go open the back, I’ll bring her. Also, grab the kit out of my trunk, I’ll see if she needs stitches, while you drive.”


He scoffed as the girl shook her head in denial at being taken away. Not like he’d give her much of a choice. His sister wouldn’t allow him to leave her here in this state, not that he really would. It was true that he didn’t much care for the girl, that was simply because he despised her brother.


He could hear his sister’s ranting as he bent down to lift up the smaller female. She made an audible noise as he straightened with her cradled against his chest. “At least you don’t weigh as much as Joey.”


What the hell was he trying to say? Taree snorted as he strolled towards the car without breaking a sweat. She couldn’t weight too much for him, he wasn’t exactly a puny person. He didn’t have anything on Dante but was still well built for a geek. “Sorry if I weigh more than your laptop.”


“Apology accepted,” he noticed she was definitely more filled out than his laptop too. Tits were kind of small, ass still wasn’t that bad.


He crouched to allow her to slide into the backseat and along the leather seat. The white first aid kit was shoved into his hands by a stuttering Joey. Seeing no way around it, he climbed into the back. Getting blood all over his seat had him keeping any and all complaints to himself. The door slammed shut, almost catching his elbow in the process.


Taree leaned her head along the smooth leather, enjoying the feel of it. Her body stiffened feeling fingers wrap around her wrist. “Owie, be careful, I can still feel that.”


“Yeah, I was hoping you could.” He pulled the palm towards him after opening the kit and turning on the overhead light. Joey was already pulling the car out onto the street, cursing the entire time.


“I think I landed on a glass that was on the table.” She was sure she hadn’t broken the lamp, then again her weight had come down on it.


“I won’t ask,” he had a good idea what had happened. The large swelling on her face told tales, she’d been hit, and not by a female. If a chick had caused that much damage then he didn’t want to meet it in a dark alley.


Taree tried not to wince as his fingers touched the wedged in glass. She let her eyes roam over the bent head. Instead of the stunning blonde that cropped Joey’s head, his was a dark brown, that was pulled back in a pony tail. The shoulder length hair would have looked nice except it was on him. She didn’t find him to be unattractive, he was actually cute in a smart way. Just when she thought of him, she saw him as the geek that opposed the jock in Dante.


It might have to do with knowing about their past, about them both. Being years older, both her and Joey knew that their brothers didn’t like each other. Dante had been jock that had also picked on Kale, all four years of high school. No big shocker that the hate still lingered years later, even managed to spread to Taree.


“Can you see what you’re doing?” She hissed as the fingers moved the sliver. A grunt of humor managed to escape when he reached inside his pocket to retrieve his glasses.


“Yeah, brace yourself. I’m going to pull this out and it’s going to sting. Good news, I don’t think you’ll need stitches. It went in sideways, so it’s not too deep.” He wasn’t going to inform her that it was a good size piece and that her hand would be sore for a good while.


“Do it,” her scream caused Joey to jump in the front seat. Taree didn’t care for his amused look, that had hurt. Blood gushed from the wide opening, her stomach churned again.


“Don’t look, close your eyes and take deep breaths.” He didn’t want her puking in his car. Kale grabbed the gauze and wrapped it around her palm. “Hold still, I’m going to apply pressure. It needs to be cleaned out better than this, but we’ll have to wait until we get back to my place.”


“Fine,” Taree kept her eyelids squeezed shut. The tight pressure on her palm had her awake and aware. She smiled realizing that he was holding onto her hand without cringing. The urge died out hearing her best friend letting out a rather foul name. How could she tell them that it had been her brother? As soon as her hand was bandaged she’d head home and forget this had happened.



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