bro.”
Antonio bolted to his feet. Zeke hopped to his. Standing face-to-face, Zeke was tempted to throw a punch at his idiotic brother’s face. Antonio jutted his chin. “And if I don’t? What are going to do about it?”
Zeke spat, “I’m going to beat your face in with my fist until it becomes a bloody pulp.” And fuck your ass up . “Now say something, so I can make good on my threat.”
Colton ordered in a husky tone, “All right, you two. Stop—”
The doorbell rang, interrupting the chaos taking place inside the Balfours’ home. Ordering both Antonio and Zeke to sit their behinds back down with one look of his cold eyes, Colton rose to his feet. “Everyone needs to calm down and be happy for Zeke. I don’t want to hear another negative word out of anyone’s mouth about this here situation. Everyone here is going to be happy for Zeke. As a family, we’re going to support both Zeke and Taylor and welcome their baby into our lives with open arms.” Colton’s dark gaze bounced back and forth between Katherine and Antonio. “For the record, I’m not asking. I’m telling everyone at this table, that we WILL be supportive of Zeke. Period. End of discussion.” Ringringring. The doorbell rang repeatedly, signaling a sense of urgency. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go get the door.” Halfway to the front door, Colton yelled out, “Katherine, fix my plate!”
Rolling her eyes, Katherine strolled toward the kitchen. “I swear, he can never do any wrong in that man’s eyes,” she murmured beneath her breath, but Zeke heard her loud and clear.
Stop hating.
Antonio stated, “Don’t ask me to babysit, because the answer will be no. Good luck.”
Bane exclaimed, “Dad said no negativity. I’ll help you with the baby as best as I can, Zeke.”
The corner of Zeke’s mouth lifted in appreciation of Bane’s kindness. “Thanks, bro. At least someone has my back—”
“Zeke, get in here! Now!” Colton shouted.
Glad his father and his brother Bane were supportive of him, Zeke trudged through the living room and headed for the front door. When he reached the living room, he instantly recognized Taylor’s mother, Veronica Spelling. Red-stained eyes and bright red nose, Veronica’s brown face held a sullen expression. Short, straight-haired bob, Veronica looked like she’d been crying.
Nervous, Zeke swallowed. “Hi, Ms. Spelling. I guess you’re here about Taylor. I’m—”
“Have you seen Taylor?” Veronica blurted. Water filled her eyes. “She’s normally home by seven, but she hasn’t come home yet.”
Zeke’s heart dunked. “We were together earlier today, not far from here. We split around six, right after it got dark. She said she was going straight home.”
Veronica’s lips trembled. A tear streamed down her left cheek. “How was she right before she left you? Did she seem sad?”
Oh God, Taylor. Where are you? Terrified, Zeke shook his head. “I wouldn’t necessarily say sad. More like scared. Yeah, she was scared. She said she was going to be in big trouble.”
Veronica swiped at the tear falling from her right eye. “Was she scared because of the pregnancy?”
When Zeke nodded his head, his bang fell from the hair on top of his head to his brows. “I didn’t know at the time that she was pregnant, but yeah. I think she was scared to tell me she was pregnant.”
Curiosity rounded Veronica’s red-stained eyes. “She never told you that she was