16. Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Sixteen
Blossom
Opening the door to my apartment, I step aside, gesturing for Noah to come in.
His heavy footsteps echo lightly on the worn floorboards as he steps over the threshold, and I immediately notice his reaction.
His steely eyes flick around the room, taking in the small space, the narrow hallway that leads into the kitchen.
I feel a small twinge of insecurity, though I try to brush it off quickly.
This is my home, after all.
“The kitchen’s right here,” I say needlessly, leading him through the cramped space. It’s only big enough for a counter, a small fridge, and a tiny stove. The refrigerator hums quietly in the background as we pass it, the scent of old coffee lingering in the air as we pass the coffeemaker on the counter.
Walking him further into the apartment, I point out the rest of the space as we go.
“This is the living room,” I say softly, motioning to the small loveseat and coffee table separating the two beds. On one side is Amy’s bed, the dresser to the side piled with clothes she didn’t have time to fold.
On the other side is mine, which displays the same exact setup. My bed is tucked near the window, the dresser beside it cluttered with my belongings.
Noah doesn’t say anything at first, but I can see him glance at the ceiling, his eyes catching the brackish, brown water stains that have been there since we first moved in. “I know it’s not much,” I say quickly, sitting down on the couch.
He sits beside me gently, his eyes softening as he looks around. “It’s fine. I don’t mind it.” But I can see him still eyeing the water stains.
Outside, the rain starts coming down even harder, tapping against the windows with soft plunks . I pull a throw blanket off the back of the sofa and wrap it tighter around myself as I snuggle into the couch.
Noah, the gentleman he is, is already on his phone, ordering dinner while I scroll through the horror movie options on the streaming service.
“I don’t know what I’m more afraid of,” I joke, “the horror movie or the sound of this storm.”
Noah chuckles, the warmth of his laugh making me feel a little more at ease.
He’s so easy to be around, and tonight, with the storm raging outside, I feel better with him here.
“I’ll take both,” he says, hitting send on his order. “Sushi and teriyaki in the storm sounds like the right choice.”
I smile, my fingers still hovering over the screen. "Japanese food it is, then."
We lean back into the worn couch, turning on a creepy thriller that promises to keep us on edge. Purplish lightning flashes across the dark sky outside, illuminating the windows in sharp, jagged streaks of white.
Each crash of thunder makes me flinch, but Noah's presence beside me somehow brings me comfort and makes it feel less frightening.
Our food arrives quickly, and we settle back into the couch with our sushi, the storm howling outside as the movie plays on.
The pattering sound of rain and occasional roll of thunder becomes the background to our laughter as we joke over the horror movie. It’s cheesy at times but still manages to pack a punch with the scares.
As the movie is nearing its end, I find myself getting lost in the suspense.
Noah and I are huddled close together on the couch, the blanket wrapped around us as I lean into him.
His thick, strong arm is draped across my shoulders, and I can feel his warmth radiating through me. I find myself leaning into him naturally.
The tension from the movie has me clutching the blanket tighter in my sweating hands, my eyes glued to the screen as the final scene starts to unfold.
The last jump-scare sends me leaping into Noah’s side with a gasp, my arms wrapped around him as I hide my face against his back, and I hear him chuckle softly.
“Well,” he says, his voice light, “I think we could use a change of pace after all of that.”
I look up at him, surprised. “You want to stay and watch something else?”
He just smiles at me, his eyes sparkling in the low light from the TV. “How about something lighter? Maybe a comedy. I feel like we need a laugh after that.”
I nod eagerly. “You’re right. I’m not sure I can handle any more horror tonight.”
We get comfortable again, Noah flicking through the options for a lighter movie as I rest my head on his shoulder, my eyes fluttering shut for a moment.
There’s something so easy about being here with him, in the middle of the storm, everything else in the world feeling far away, and I feel myself melt against him again.
Just as I’m about to settle deeper into the couch, suddenly, there’s a loud crash from the window beside the TV. The sound is deafening. The sight of the dark figure launching into the living room at us makes me jump to my feet in a panic, my heart racing in my chest.
“Noah!” I scream, adrenaline surging through me as I back away from the window, launching myself over the back of the sofa.
Noah’s already up, lunging toward the broken window and the dark figure, his blue eyes wide with a protective fury.
My pulse is racing, my body frozen in shock as I watch him lurch for the man, whose face is hidden by his soaked hood.
Then, as Noah lifts the hood off his face, I see him: Zack.
My ex is completely drenched from the rain, his clothes torn from the broken window, and his brown eyes are wide with a mix of anger and desperation.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I gasp, my voice tight and strained.
Noah steps forward, positioning himself in front of me, blocking Zack so he can’t get to me.
His body is bristling with anger, his jaw clenched, his fists tight in white balls.
Zack grins sheepishly, his lips twisting into a sneer. “What’s wrong, Blossom? Miss me?”
I feel the tension rise within me. It feels like a storm of emotions brimming over. “Miss you?” I sneer. I can’t understand why he’s here, why he thinks it’s normal to show up like this, to break into my apartment through my window.
It takes everything in me to stay calm, but the fear, confusion, and rage still claw at me.
Noah’s body is tense as he stands before us, every muscle coiled as he stares at Zack, ready to make a move if necessary.
I can’t believe this is happening, how this is my life now, and it’s all spiraling out of control again.
Zack suddenly lunges at Noah with a wild swing, his fist missing Noah’s face by mere centimeters. But Noah is quicker, obviously having taken some fighting classes in his life, as he grabs hold of Zack’s arm, twisting it behind him, forcing him into a tight hold.
Zack struggles against Noah’s grip, his eyes flashing with pure rage.
“Keep struggling and I’ll snap your arm!” Noah growls, and I feel myself instantly attracted to him in this moment.
“You think you’re so tough, huh?” Zack yelps, his voice slurred with fury and fear. “You think you can just take what’s mine?” He turns his head, eyes snapping up to mine. “That jersey! The valuable hockey jersey you stole when you packed up your shit and moved to this godforsaken place!”
I freeze, my heart racing as I try to process what he’s saying, trying to even remember what lame piece of memorabilia he’s talking about. “What are you talking about?” I stutter, my voice shaky. “Zack, I never…”
“Don’t act innocent! You took it, didn’t you? Took it so you could pawn it off!” Zack spits, his face red with anger. “You took everything from me, and now you’ve got Mr. Tough-Guy here to defend you.”
Noah’s grip tightens, and I watch Zack wince at the pain. Noah’s jaw clenches in frustration as he forces Zack toward the door, nearly kicking his legs out ahead of him. “That’s enough, Zack,” he says through gritted teeth. “This isn’t about some made-up jersey, and it’s certainly not about you. Leave now, before I make you.”
Zack whips his head back, his eyes full of venom. “I’ll be back for you, Blossom!” he yells at me, before he manages to wrangle an arm free to swing it wildly at Noah again, but missing nonetheless. It’s clear that Zack’s losing control of himself completely, and Noah’s trying his best to restrain him without escalating things further.
I open my mouth to speak out, but the words die in my throat as Noah’s protective side kicks into full gear.
“Just leave!” he warns, his voice low and firm. “Zack, get the fuck out of here!”
I’m so perplexed by Zack’s choices, I don’t understand what part of him thinks I either took this jersey or thought it would be a good idea to break into my apartment to see me again, but all I can see is the way Noah’s looking at Zack like he’s about to kill him.
Zack’s anger isn’t just reckless, it’s dangerous, and Noah sees that.
Zack swings again, this time landing a wild punch against Noah’s arm, but Noah’s focus never shifts away from removing him.
Noah steps forward, using his sheer size and strength to shove Zack backward. Without warning, he punches Zack square in the jaw, sending him stumbling against the wall of the hallway, finally out of the apartment.
Zack’s head rocks back, but he manages to regain his footing, lashing out once more at Noah.
“Noah, stop!” I cry out, my desperate voice crying for some return to normalcy.
But Noah doesn’t listen. It’s like he can’t even hear me.
He grabs Zack by the collar, lifting him off the ground with ease, a maniacal smile crossing his perfect lips. “You’re not going to hurt her anymore, do you hear me?” Noah’s dark voice is steady, dangerous.
For a split second, I think the fight is over, but Zack manages to kick Noah in the knee, making Noah drop him, and he slips away from Noah’s grip.
Zack stumbles backward, his hands pushing off the doorframe, and he bolts for the exit, running as fast as he can.
Out of sight, I hear him trip as he reaches the stairs. There’s an awkward thud and then silence before we hear Zack scramble back to his feet. All I see is Noah watching him. I assume Zack glances back with a last furious glare before he runs out the stairwell door, disappearing into the night.
I hear Noah dial the police over the sound of the rushing rain outside, his voice sharp and clear as he explains the situation.
I stand there in a daze, still processing everything that just happened: Zack, in my apartment, accusing me of stealing some stupid jersey.
My mind races on a wheel. What if he comes back? What if he’s not done?
I rub my growing stomach anxiously, a new wave of panic rising in my chest.
What if he does something worse next time? What if he harms the baby?
Noah steps over to the broken glass across the floor, trying to gather the curtains to cover the hole where the glass once was.
His hard face is set in determination, his eyes dark with concern. He looks to me, repeating the directions from the 911 operator on the line. “Stay inside. Keep the door locked until the police arrive,” he says, but his voice softens as he looks at me, checking my reaction.
Tears well up in my eyes, hot and heavy, and I choke back a sob. “What if he comes back?” I ask, my voice cracking with fear.
Noah looks at me, his expression unreadable, but there’s something in his eyes, a calculating ferocity. “He’s not coming back. Not if I have anything to say about it.”
I cradle my stomach gently, the fear of losing control overwhelming me.
I’m scared! What if Zack doesn’t stop here? What if he escalates?
Noah finishes his call with the police, and as he hangs up, he walks over to me, taking me into his arms.
“Don’t worry, Blossom. He’s gone now, he’s not coming back, or he’s going to be arrested on the spot, and he knows that,” he reassures me, pulling me into his arms. “And you won’t be staying here tonight. Let’s get you a bag packed for a few days, at least.”
I nod softly, sniffling my tears back, though the fear still lingers.
As much as I want to stay strong, I’m still trembling from Zack’s attack.
But still, Noah’s presence calms me in ways nothing else can.
Just as Noah begins to help me gather a bag, there’s a knock at the door, and my nervous heart skips another beat.”
“Stay here, I’ll get it,” Noah says, his voice calm but firm. He walks toward the door, and I hear him swing the squeaky door open.
“Police. We received a call about a break-in.”
I’m not sure how I feel about them being here; relieved, scared, or just numb.
But as I watch Noah, standing between me and the door, talking to the officers, I can’t help but feel a wave of gratitude.
He’s standing up for me, making sure I’m safe, and that’s more than I’ve ever had anyone do before.
The officers enter, inspecting the broken window, and Noah gives them the details, talking to them quietly.
I sit back down on the couch, still processing everything, and the officers can tell I’m rattled as I give my official account.
“And this trespasser, it was your ex-boyfriend, Zack Ferguson, from Carteret?”
“Yes, for certain.”
The fear that’s been coiling in my chest slowly starts to loosen as I watch the officer nod, jotting down my account of what happened.
Deep down, though, I know that no matter what, I can’t let Zack win.
With Noah by my side, I know we won’t let him.