Page 80 of Spiralling Skywards: Fading
Luke was leaningwith his arse against my desk when I stepped back into my office, so I shut the door behind me and pressed my back against it.
“What the fuck was that all about? Seriously, you need to get her a nanny or a housekeeper or something. She looks fucking exhausted.”
I didn’t have a response. Sarah did look exhausted. She looked pale and almost lifeless, which wasn’t something I hadn’t noticed until I saw her outside our home and standing next to the women in our office, who were typically way over dressed.
I couldn’t believe she said that to me about Cassie, either. What she saw was completely innocent. Sarah and my kids were my fucking world. Other women didn’t exist for me—it didn’t matter if she were around or not.
“Our lives have been a little crazy these past few years with the kids and your grandad. She’s worried about your nan, and now Carter’s having some issues. I think it’s all just caught up with her.”
“Your lives have been crazy? Your lives have been fucking fertile, dude, that’s what they’ve been. You seriously need to go and get your nuts chopped, because I swear to god, you knock her up one more time, and I’ll be ripping your dickandyour bollocks off.”
I rubbed the back of my neck with my hand and moved towards my desk, not wanting to have this discussion with him but giving him a tight nod in acknowledgment. I felt a great big knot of emotion form in my throat. I really was the worst fucking husband on the planet.
“What’s going on with Carter then?”
“He’s been really aggressive with the twins, spiteful—he even bit the baby.”
“Carter? That’s not like him.”
“Nah, I know, and now the school wants to see one of us to discuss his issues.”
He shook his head. “Carter doesn’t have any issues. He’s just a normal little boy who’s had his mum and dad all to himself for three years and now he’s suddenly having to share them with three little brothers.”
“We’ve tried making a fuss of just him. I take him out on his own without the others when I can.”
There was a knock on my office door, and Mel poked her head in.
“Oh, sorry. Just wanted to let you know the contracts have been signed on those four units in Chillagoe.”
“Cheers, Mel.”
“Mel, before you go can you come in and close the door for a sec, please?” Luke asked without turning around to look at her.
She did as he asked and walked towards us with a frown. Luke turned in his chair slightly and looked her up and down.
“You ever, ever speak to or attempt to humiliate my sister like that again, you will be out of here so fast those long skinny legs of yours won’t know what’s hit them.”
I sat back in my chair and watched the exchange, not having a clue what was going on.
Mel’s cheeks flushed, and she folded her arms in front of her chest, cocking one hip to the side.
“She had baby puke all down her back, itwasgross. Am I not allowed an opinion?”
“What happened?” I asked.
“Lucas had obviously puked over Sarah’s shoulder, and it had gone down her back. Mel decided to broadcast it across the office and let everyone know how disgusted she was.”
For the first time in my life, I wanted to punch a woman. Sarah would’ve been mortified.
“You did what?”
“All I said was that it was gross. Having sick all down your back is gross. She doesn’t even work here, so you can’t sack me for that anyway.”
Luke bolted upright from his chair and stood right in front of her.
“Sarah is the wife of one of your bosses and the sister of another, and it wouldn’t matter if she were a homeless person from the street, she’s a human fucking being and you will treat her with some respect. Do I make myself clear?”
“As crystal.”
