Enamored
Susan Scott Shelley
Copyright 2017 Susan Scott Shelley
ISBN: 978-1-944220-24-2
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.
Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person from proper authorized retail channels. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Susan’s Books
CHAPTER ONE
LIAM
FROM HIS POSITION IN the ballpark's tunnel, Liam York adjusted the head of his shark costume and made a last-minute check on his custom-made skateboard. He'd worked hard at entertaining the crowd during the previous six innings, but for the seventh inning stretch of the last game of Spring Training, he had something special prepared for the crowd. Something he hadn't discussed with the members of the Riptide. Or management for that matter. But wasn't surprise the very spirit of April Fool's Day?
Gaze fixed on the green field and the players, he mentally ran through his routine. Skateboarding in the outfield while attached to an ATV via a rope would be awesome. Adding in some jumps and backflips would hopefully give the effect that Fin the Shark was water-skiing. He'd painted his skateboard a bright red and had a friend attach snowboard bindings so the board would stay secured to his feet.
Defending the title of League's Best Mascot took a lot of creativity and he intended to start off the season with a bang. Perfecting the stunt here, before he broke it out for the home crowd, made the most sense.
Sweat rolled down his face and chest and coated his limbs, but he couldn't do anything about it. The shark costume covered every inch of his body and the only relief came from the mesh patch of the shark mouth that doubled as his means of seeing and breathing. Still, it was comfortable. The arms and legs allowed flexibility and mobility, even if he was roasting inside the fabric thanks to the nearly triple-digit temperature baking the ball field. Nothing compared to the dry Arizona heat. He couldn't wait to get home to L.A. Not that the temperatures would be much better there.
The driver of the ATV twisted to face him. "That's the Bolts' last out. You ready to take the field?"
Liam grinned. "I was born ready."
That part was true enough. Growing up as the son of the mascot, and seeing the smiles his dad had brought to fans, players, and kids they'd visit in the hospital, Liam had wanted nothing more than to follow in his footsteps. After his dad had retired a few years ago, he'd been given his chance. As far as he was concerned, he had the best job in the world and was lucky enough to appreciate it.
He held tight to the rope as the ATV rumbled onto the field. The crowd, a mix of both Riptide and Bolts fans, roared as Fin the Shark came into view. He grinned as the board's wheels rolled through the grass. Waving to the crowd, he gripped the rope in his other hand and prepared for his first jump.
Backflips and other gymnastics were part of his repertoire. Liam crouched and then leaped, throwing his body backward. Blue sky and then the green grass filled his vision, and he squeezed the rope as he stuck the landing. The board stayed attached to his feet.
Success.
The roar of the crowd drowned out his thundering heartbeat. Adjusting his grip on the rope, he waved at a little boy in the first row who wore a T-shirt with a cartoonized version of Fin. Having his own fans was the coolest thing ever.
The driver gave him a thumbs-up and increased the speed as he continued around the field. They passed the Riptide dugout and his buddies on the team called out things he couldn't make out over the ATV's engine but he caught sight of Slade and Dom's grins. The team held the lead—seven runs to the Bolt's goose egg. Barring any huge mistakes, they had the win in the bag. After the game and into the night would be filled with celebration. His successful stunt would contribute to heightening the party.
The ATV headed for center field. Liam readied for one last jump. Instead of a simple backflip, he debated going for three in a row. He had enough space. And that feat might make the sports networks' highlight reels, might bring in more attention and then donations to his partnership with the children's charity.
He waved to the crowd again, then launched his body into the air.
One flip down.
Two down.
Three.
Mid-launch, the rope pulled to the left and slipped from his grasp. The world turned upside down. His stomach lurched and his heart slammed into his throat. He came down hard, landing upright on the board, and then careened toward the outfield wall. Adrenaline pumped through his blood. He waved his arms—anything to slow him down—but the wall came fast. His body slammed into the unforgiving padded barrier. Pain bloomed in his ankle and knee and the air rushed out of his lungs. The ground rushed up to meet him, finally ending his flight.
He lay, gasping, staring at the sky. The pain in his leg increased into intense bursts of agony. Silence flooded his ears. The only time the ballpark was completely still was during an on-field injury or when it was empty. He raised his head, lifted one arm...
"Liam!" Slade's voice reached him a second before his best friend knelt beside him. "What the hell? Are you okay?"
"Ugh." He didn't know. Didn't
