The Twelve Dates of Christmas

Chapter Eighteen - A Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Nicholas

The firehouse had a comfortable hum that came with the morning routine—guys finishing breakfast, checking gear, and joking around as we all prepared for the rest of our shift. Jackson and I were finishing up some last-minute equipment checks, wiping down helmets and ensuring everything was in place.

“Sledding’s today,” Jackson said, tossing a rag onto the workbench. “Caroling tonight. Think you’ll make it to either?”

I exhaled, shaking my head. “I wish. I’m off soon, but I have no clue what Noelle’s plans are. I was hoping to figure something out.”

Jackson smirked. “Man, after that snowman contest she pulled together for you, I’d say she wants you around.”

I chuckled but didn’t respond right away. I wanted to believe that. The truth was, Noelle and I had been dancing around something fragile—something unspoken but undeniable.

Before I could respond, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, my brow furrowing when I saw the name. Winter.

She never calls this early.

A ripple of unease spread through me as I hit answer. “Hey, what’s up?”

Winter’s voice came fast, urgent. “Nick, I don’t know. I don’t know, but something feels off.”

The unease sharpened. “What do you mean? What’s wrong?”

Winter hesitated, her breathing uneven. “Noelle stayed over last night. We had a sleepover, Holly was happy, everything was great. But she… she seemed off. Then Christian started calling her.”

My stomach dropped. “What?”

“This morning, we were making breakfast when Aurora called her. Christian showed up at their house, Nick. Looking for her.”

Everything inside me went still.

“What do you mean he showed up?” My voice was sharp, controlled—but barely.

“He went to Noelle’s house—to her mom’s house—asking where she was,” Winter repeated, the concern thick in her voice. “Aurora told him she wasn’t there, but she said something felt wrong. He seemed… off. Not angry, but weird. Like he was desperate to find her.”

My grip tightened around my phone, my pulse spiking.

“She left a few minutes ago,” Winter added quickly. “She’s on her way there now.”

No.

The panic hit hard and fast, spreading through me like wildfire.

Christian. The ex who wouldn’t take no for an answer.

Noelle told me she ended things. That she tried for a year, but it never felt right. That she couldn’t commit. That it had always felt forced. That Christian had been pursuing her for years before she finally gave in.

What if he wasn’t willing to let her go?

What if he thought she just needed convincing?

I was already moving, pushing my gear aside and storming toward my truck.

“I’ll call you later,” I said sharply, ending the call before Winter could argue.

Jackson, still sitting on the bench, caught the shift in my energy immediately. “Nick, what’s going on?”

“Noelle’s ex—Christian,” I ground out. “He showed up at her house. She’s on her way there now.”

Jackson stood up, his expression darkening. “s**t. You need me to come with you?”

“I got it,” I said, yanking my jacket on. “Cover for me?”

Jackson didn’t hesitate. “Of course. But, Nick—” He met my eyes. “Call me if you need anything.”

I nodded and bolted out the door, my mind racing.

The second I jumped into my truck, I called Noelle.

Straight to voicemail.

My fingers gripped the steering wheel as I tried again.

Nothing.

My stomach twisted, my grip so tight my knuckles turned white.

I called Aurora next.

No answer.

A cold weight settled in my chest.

What if he was already there?

What if she was alone?

What if—

I slammed my foot on the gas, gripping the wheel as my truck sped down the icy road.

I tried Noelle again.

Still nothing.

Damn it.

I clenched my jaw, my heart pounding.

Christian had always been persistent. Too persistent.

What if he thought Noelle was just being stubborn? That she just needed time?

What if he wasn’t ready to let go?

The thought made my pulse spike.

I tried Aurora one more time.

When she didn’t answer, panic clawed up my throat.

Something was wrong.

I pressed the gas harder, gripping the wheel so tightly my hands ached.

Noelle was alone.

And I wasn’t going to let her face this without me.

The moment Noelle slammed the door in my face, I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me.

I stood there, staring at the worn wood, my hands curled into fists at my sides. I could still hear her on the other side, muffling her sobs. The sound ripped through me, tightening something in my chest.

I exhaled sharply and knocked again, softer this time. “Noelle… please, just—just talk to me.”

Nothing.

I dragged a hand through my hair, trying to keep my emotions in check. “I don’t know what to do, Noelle. I just—I care about you. I need to know you’re okay.”

Still nothing.

A lump formed in my throat as I leaned my forehead against the door. “You don’t have to do this alone, baby.” My voice was raw, low. “Let me help you.”

Her response was barely above a whisper. “Just go.”

I clenched my jaw. Every instinct in me told me to stay, to keep pushing, to break down this damn door if it meant making sure she was safe. But she didn’t want me there. Noelle was stubborn as hell, and I knew when she was shutting me out, there was no breaking through.

I let out a shaky breath and stepped back. “I’m not giving up on you,” I murmured, knowing she could hear me. “Even if you want me to.”

Then, I turned and walked away, leaving her behind even though it was the last thing I wanted to do.

The Evergreen Taproom was the kind of place where everyone knew everyone, where the wooden floors were scuffed from decades of boots dragging snow inside, and the string lights hanging from the ceiling gave it a warm, golden glow. The jukebox hummed in the corner, playing some old country song, and groups of locals gathered around tables, laughing and enjoying the holiday season.

Normally, I’d find comfort here. But tonight, all I felt was restless energy buzzing under my skin.

I sat at the bar, nursing a whiskey, waiting for Jackson to show up. I needed to talk—to get my head on straight after the disaster of a day I’d had.

As I stared into my drink, I caught sight of someone I didn’t recognize sitting a few seats down. It wasn’t unusual for new faces to roll through town during the holidays—Evergreen Ridge was a Christmas destination, after all. But something about him felt off.

He was alone, which was strange. Most visitors came in groups or as families, eager to experience the small-town holiday magic. But this guy? He looked like he didn’t belong.

Tall, dark-haired, dressed in a leather jacket that didn’t match the warmth of the place. He was leaning against the bar, a sleazy smirk on his face as he chatted up Mia, one of the bartenders I grew up with.

I couldn’t hear all of their conversation, but from the way Mia was forcing a smile and subtly shifting away, I could tell she wasn’t interested.

“C’mon,” the guy coaxed, his voice carrying over the bar noise. “One drink? I’m only in town for a little while. We could have some fun.”

Mia’s smile tightened. “I’m working.”

I rolled my eyes, pushing my drink aside. I wasn’t about to play hero, but I also wasn’t about to let Mia get cornered by some random asshole.

I waved her over when she had a second. “Hey, everything good?” I asked casually, keeping my voice low.

Mia sighed, leaning on the counter. “Yeah, I got it. Thanks for checking in, though.” She threw a glance back toward the guy. “He’s just some out-of-towner who thinks he’s charming.”

My gaze flicked back to him. “Out-of-towner?”

She nodded. “Yeah. Said he’s visiting but didn’t know what the Twelve Dates of Christmas was when I asked. Which, honestly? Kinda weird. Everyone here for the holidays comes because of the festival.”

I hummed, a feeling of unease creeping up my spine.

Mia shrugged. “Anyway, I’ll handle him.”

I gave her a nod, but something still didn’t sit right. I kept an eye on the guy, watching as he pulled out his phone and started texting someone. A few minutes later, he lifted it to his ear.

And then I heard the name.

“Noelle.”

Every muscle in my body went rigid.

The guy’s voice turned smooth. “Hey, babe. I’ve been trying to reach you all day. Where’ve you been?”

My pulse spiked. No.

I watched him, my blood running hot as realization settled over me like ice.

Christian.

I didn’t even think. I was on my feet, moving toward him before I could stop myself.

Just as he started speaking again, I reached out and ripped the phone from his hand.

“Hey, what the hell—” he snapped.

I hung up the call, gripping the phone tightly before tossing it onto the bar. “You’re done.”

Christian’s face twisted in confusion before realization dawned. His eyes darkened as he sized me up. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

I stepped closer, my voice dangerously calm. “You’re in my town, harassing my people, and now you’re calling her? That’s not happening.”

Christian scoffed, his cocky demeanor barely wavering. “Harassing? I’m talking to my girlfriend.”

“She’s not your girlfriend,” I growled.

His jaw tensed. “You don’t know a damn thing about us.”

I let out a humorless laugh. “I know she doesn’t want to talk to you. I know she blocked your number. And I know that showing up at her house uninvited doesn’t exactly scream ‘healthy relationship.’”

Christian’s eyes narrowed. “You think you’re some kind of knight in shining armor? What, you swoop in and suddenly Noelle’s yours?”

My fists clenched. I was seconds away from making him regret ever setting foot in this town.

Mia, sensing the shift in energy, stepped in. “Hey, we don’t need trouble here, guys.”

Christian smirked, leaning back against the bar like he wasn’t fazed. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I was just leaving.”

I held his gaze, waiting to see if he’d push back.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he grabbed his phone off the bar, gave me one last smirk, and walked toward the door.

As soon as he was gone, I let out a slow breath, rolling the tension out of my shoulders.

Mia shot me a look. “That was intense.”

I shook my head. “Yeah.”

Jackson arrived a few minutes later, sliding into the seat next to me. “What’d I miss?”

I let out a hollow laugh. “A whole damn mess.”

And as I stared at my drink, all I could think about was Noelle.

And how this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.