Chapter 23
Emma
I thought Case was a decent guy, but this is proving that I’m a horrible judge of character.
How can he sell this apartment without telling Drake? Where is my brother supposed to live once he returns from his wedding?
It’s not as though Drake will be homeless. He can afford to rent a nice apartment, but that’s not the point.
It feels like Case is ripping the rug out from under Drake’s feet. Technically, it’s exquisite hardwood floors.
What a great way to start married life.
I inch back on the couch because I don’t want to be too close to a man who would betray his best friend this way.
“That’s unfair.” I work to even my tone. “Drake would never do that to you.”
I don’t think he would. I have no scope of his friendship with Case. Maybe they pull these ‘ fuck-you’ moves on each other all the time.
It’s impossibly hard for me to imagine my brother doing this to anyone though. Drake is a good man. He’s always gone out of his way to help the people he cares about.
“I’m doing it for him, Emma.” Case turns to face me directly. “I’m selling this place because it’s time. It’s time for Drake to move on.”
Anger burns a path up my belly to my throat. I swallow hard, hoping to tame it so I don’t say anything I’ll regret. “Move on? What if he’s not ready to move on or move out? Why wouldn’t you talk to him about this before he left for Ireland?”
There’s an undercurrent of something in his eyes. Maybe it’s regret, or perhaps it’s indignation that I’m questioning him on a decision that has nothing to do with me.
I don’t care if it’s not my place to have this discussion with him. I love my brother. I want what’s best for him, and it’s hard to understand how being kicked out of the home he’s lived in for the past seven years without any warning benefits him.
He blows out a breath. “This was meant to be a surprise for Drake. It’s part of my wedding gift for him.”
A laugh bubbles inside of me. It’s not based in joy. It’s bitter. I don’t let it escape. Instead, I slap my hand on the couch next to me, knowing that I’ll likely be packing my suitcase headed for a hotel within the hour. “This is the surprise you mentioned? Tossing Drake out on his ass is definitely a wedding gift he’ll never forget.”
A ghost of a smile plays on Case’s lips. “You love him a lot, don’t you? You’d go to battle for him.”
I have no idea why he finds that amusing, but I nod. “I’d do anything for him.”
“Me too,” he affirms with a heavy exhale. “Your brother’s dream is to move to London with Jane, so I’m doing everything in my power to make that happen.”
***
Drake is moving to London.
My mom and dad are going to retire in Florida in three months, and Whitney is headed to Ohio for college at the end of summer.
Everything’s changing so fast. It’s too fast.
It’s been less than a week since my parents dropped their bombshell on me. I’ve known about Whitney’s acceptance into Ohio State for months, but watching her gleefully start packing last week was a stark reminder that soon she won’t call Seattle home.
“How long has Drake been thinking about moving to London?” I ask, rubbing both hands over my eyes.
“I’m not sure,” Case confesses. “He didn’t tell me he wanted to make the move.”
My head darts up. “Who told you? Jane?”
“We’ve never met.” He half-laughs. “Drake mentioned her a couple of months ago once things were serious between them.”
Envy shoots through me knowing that Drake confided in Case.
I’ve shared a lot with my brother since he moved to the east coast. He did the same, although he was always so focused on work that almost everything he told me revolved around that.
“I first heard London mentioned last month during a phone call with our branding manager here in New York.” He exhales slowly. “He told me that Drake was throwing out ideas about working remotely from London. He planned to be in the office here two weeks a month and then spend the other two with Jane in London.”
“She lives there?”
He brushes a hand over his knee. “Her family does. They have a business that’s ready to change hands to the next generation. Jane’s the one to take that on.”
“You never talked to Drake about any of this?” I sigh. “Why wouldn’t he discuss this with you?”
His gaze floats around the apartment. “I believe he thought he’d be letting me down. He’s kept the New York office running on his own for years. Doing that remotely isn’t an easy task. I’m learning that firsthand. Things are piling up back in San Francisco that I need to take care of in person.”