TORI’S POV
"What?" I gasped into the phone, my heart suddenly pounding so hard I thought it might break through my chest. My eyes darted back to Ethan, who was watching me with concern.
"Are you serious?" I squealed, clutching the phone tighter. "The actual Olympic development team? To see me?"
Maya's excited voice confirmed it again. Coach Rivera had called an emergency team meeting tomorrow morning to discuss preparations. The scout was coming specifically to see me play—me, Tori Martinez, the girl who'd been told countless times she was too short for D1 volleyball.
I ended the call and just stood there, trying to process what had just happened.
"Everything okay?" Ethan asked, his forehead creased with worry.
"Yeah, it's—" I couldn't even find the words. "It's amazing, actually. The Olympic development scout is coming to watch me play next week."
"Whoa." His eyes widened. "That's huge, Tori."
"I know!" I bounced on my toes, unable to contain the excitement. "I can't believe it. This could change everything."
"We should celebrate," he said, grinning. "Come on, one more drink before you go home."
I hesitated, glancing at my watch. It was getting late, and I had that meeting tomorrow morning. But the adrenaline coursing through my veins made the decision for me.
"Just one," I agreed.
We went back inside the restaurant, sliding into our booth again. When the drinks arrived, he raised his glass.
"To future Olympian, Tori Martinez."
I clinked my glass against his, feeling a blush creep up my neck.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. They're just coming to watch."
"They wouldn't be coming if they didn't already think you were special," he said with surprising sincerity.
I gulped down half my drink, suddenly overwhelmed by the night's events—the almost-kiss in the parking lot, the phone call, and now Ethan looking at me like I was someone worth believing in.
"Easy there," he laughed as I finished the rest. "You okay?"
"I'm great." The sugar hit my empty stomach, making my head feel light. Or maybe it was just the euphoria of the news. Either way, I felt giddy, less guarded than usual.
"Are you a lightweight, Martinez?" Ethan teased, watching me with amusement.
I gasped dramatically, placing a hand over my heart. "How did you know?"
"You look drunk after just a bottle of juice," he said, eyebrows raised.
"I am not." I waved him away dismissively. "I can take five more. I'm not a lightweight..." My words slurred slightly, and I suddenly felt extremely tired.
Before I could stop myself, I let out an embarrassing belch and promptly dropped my head onto the table.
Everything went fuzzy for a minute. I vaguely registered Ethan's laugh, then felt a gentle tapping on my shoulder.
"Tori?" His voice sounded far away. "Victoria?"
My eyes fluttered open, and I found myself staring up at him. It took a moment for my brain to catch up.
"How the hell did you know me as Victoria?" I asked, genuinely confused. Nobody called me that except my dad, and only when he was mad.
Ethan looked momentarily caught off guard, like he'd revealed something he shouldn't have. "I, uh—"
I didn't wait for his answer. The sugar crash was hitting hard, and I abruptly stood up, needing fresh air.
The restaurant tilted sideways, and I staggered backward, losing my balance.
Ethan was quick. He lunged forward, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward him to stop my fall. The momentum brought me crashing against his chest, and somehow, impossibly, my lips collided with his.
For one electric second, everything stopped. His lips were soft and warm against mine, and I felt a jolt of something dangerous shoot through my entire body.
I jerked back, eyes wide with shock. Ethan looked equally stunned, his blue eyes huge, lips slightly parted.
"I—" I tried to step away, but my legs weren't cooperating. I wobbled again, and his hands steadied me, gripping my elbows.
I looked up at him, my heart racing for entirely different reasons now. The concern in his eyes made something twist inside my chest.
"You're right," I muttered, unable to meet his gaze any longer. "I'm drunk."
He nodded with a gentle smile.
The tension of the accidental kiss hung between us, neither of us acknowledging it directly. I didn't know what to say. I couldn't process what had just happened, not the scout, not the almost-kiss in the parking lot, and definitely not whatever that lip collision just was.
"Please take me home," I said softly, suddenly feeling very small and very confused before sleep enveloped me.