They both have big goals. But will an unplanned baby derail their futures?

Madison craves so much more out of life. Counting down the days until she leaves for college, the eighteen-year-old dreamer is ready to escape her alcoholic mother and small-town nosiness. But wanting her first time to be with someone she trusts, she approaches her best guy friend with a sexy farewell proposition.

Hamilton’s excited for the next chapter. Drafted to MLB to start in the minor leagues, he treasures his one special night with his favorite girl as a fond send-off. And unwilling to let it become a final goodbye, he savors each word of their many texts and video calls to stay connected.

Her stomach dropping when she finds out she’s pregnant, Madison scrambles for a way to keep it secret from their tight-knit circle, continue her longed-for education, and not destroy her bestie’s promising baseball career. But though Hamilton is confused by her sudden distance, he discovers a desire for something deeper than friendship.

Will they open their hearts to each other, or will hard choices push them apart?

The Locals is a New Adult small-town, sports romance.series. If you like fun casts of characters, coming-of-age drama, and slow-burn relationships, then you’ll love Haley Rhoades’s beautiful 4 book series.

The Locals Series

Liberty and I keep Alma company in the third inning of the second World Series game. Taylor and Cameron left to get dinner for our group and let McGee out. Trenton is taking a walk to call his wife and kids with an update. The afternoon was smooth; Alma woke, said a couple of words to us, then nodded off and on. The staff claims she’s progressing nicely, and they plan to assist her with walking a bit in an hour or so. 


The score is one to one; the Cubs are tied with the Yankees. Liberty sits in my lap, pretending to read one of her books. Alma, alert at the moment, watches the game with me. 


“Coming to the plate is the designated hitter for the Cubs, Hamilton Armstrong,” the announcer states. “A bold move on the part of the coach.” A second announcer explains Hamilton is a pitcher and usually a pitcher doesn’t hit in either league for another pitcher. 


Chapter 81: Madison