Quick chapter before Sydney and Adrian revisit the conversation at the diner. Hope you enjoy. Character credit to Richelle Mead. Thank you to all who reviewed my last chapters 3 R/R

XOXO

M

He had sobered up by the time we got back to the house and I could tell he was skittish about going back into the house. He sat against the side of the car as if he could hide from life that way.

"I know what's going to happen when I get in there, Sage. My mother is going to look at me like I'm the fuck up she expects me to be. A drunken artist with no future. Is she wrong? Every time she comes here I end up proving her right. I can't deal with how I feel so I go to try and lose myself. And I prove her right."

"Adrian Ivashkov. You are so much more than your bitch of a mother thinks you are. I'm sorry but you are one of the most talented people I know. Your paintings make people feel things, Adrian. Your passion for art is one of the reasons why I love you. And if I had to have your mother, I would self-medicate, too. So don't you dare think for a single fucking minute that that soulless pantsuit wearing she-bitch knows anything about you or your value."

I was red in the face and breathless when I finished my tirade. Adrian stared at me, surprise plastered on his face, his mouth hanging open. I realized after my outburst that I had called Adrian's mom several rude things and that I may have seriously overstepped. Even though she made him feel awful, he still loved her. Otherwise, he wouldn't feel such a need to please her.

"Adrian? Please say something… I'm sorry if I overstepped- I didn't mean to, I just get so mad sometimes and my filter slips."

"You see me in a way that no one else does, Sydney. In ways that I can't see and I love you so much for it. You believe in me when no one else will. Thank you." He pulled me in close for a hug. "Thank you so much."

I kissed him deeply. "Let's go inside. Sleep off tonight."

"That sounds like a great idea. We could probably both use a shower. Me more than you. Somehow even though we were both in the same sweaty crowd, I smell like a gross club tinged with booze and you still smell spring fresh."
I laughed and winked, "Girl trade secrets. I'll never reveal them."

He wrapped his arm around me, "Let's do this." We walked into the house, ready for whatever may come.