Page 38 of Unwritten Rules

“You’re just one in a long line, slut.”

And despite knowing there’s nothing between Nate and me on a romantic or sexual level, her words sting. They bring a host of unshed tears to my eyes at the knowledge that this man who holds my unrequited love in the palm of his beautiful hands will never feel for me one iota of what I feel for him.

And in true Mila style, I lash out rather than allow myself to feel.

Shrugging as though I don’t have a care in the world, I cock my head to one side and arch one eyebrow delicately while plastering a great big fuck you grin on my face.

“Sure didn’t feel that way when he was eating my pussy for breakfast.”

Her mouth dropping open at the same time as her eyes bulging out of their sockets should make me feel better. It should make the smirk on my face at least feel like less of a lie, but in reality, it’s just another mask, and I’m damn tired of wearing them.

* * *

My morning with Chancellor Higgins passes without incident. His kind eyes and warm smile make me feel right at home, and the conversation flows between us as he shows me around campus.

“I’m not sure if you knew your mother’s parents, Mila, but I was very friendly with your grandfather, Frank. May he rest in peace.”

“No, unfortunately, I never met either of them. My grandmother died before I was born, and my grandfather disowned my mother when he found out about me.”

Though there’s a new loophole that she’s currently jumping through on her travels. Of course, I don’t tell Chancellor Higgins that.

Giving him precisely nothing other than a nonchalant shrug, I continue. “It doesn’t bother me, but I know it hurt Mum immensely.”

His brow creases empathetically. “I’m sorry. I had no idea they were estranged when he passed. He was very much a man with strong beliefs, probably a bit too stubborn for his own good occasionally. His loss.”

Maybe that’s where I got my stubborn streak from.

Smiling kindly, he continues to bring me to all the pertinent parts of the university, eventually finishing up back where we’d begun outside of his office.

“Thank you for your help this morning, Chancellor Higgins.”

He smiles kindly. “My pleasure, Mila.”

“I don’t have any classes until later in the week, is that right?”

Nodding, he glances around as though looking for someone before pulling his phone from his pocket and shooting off a quick text.

“That’s right, though I thought the buddy I’d organised to partner you with would be here by now. I hate to run, but I have another meeting I simply must…”

“I’m here! Apologies, Chancellor. I couldn’t find my car keys.”

A tall, slender man with white blonde hair, impossibly paler skin, and piercing blue eyes careens around the corner by the Chancellor’s office door.

“Ah, there you are, Callum.” Chancellor Higgins turns back to me. “Mila DeMarco, I’d like to introduce you to Callum Richards. I golf with his grandfather, you know.”

He nudges me, his eyes widening comedically as I catch Callum stifling a grin and shaking his head ruefully.

“Mila is new here, Callum. I’d greatly appreciate it if you could take her under your wing as a personal favour.”

Callum nods, a bright smile covering his face, and I can’t stop my lips from mirroring his.

“You two shall be fast friends, I’m sure of it.” His face changes, something like unease flashing in his kind eyes. “Ah, here comes my next appointment.”

My attention moves from Callum to another newcomer, to find none other than the rude bitch from this morning, scowling openly right at me.

“Ah, Monica. You received my reminder for our catch-up.”

Chancellor Higgins steps forward, dropping a kiss on the girl’s upturned cheek before gesturing for me to step forward.