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

It’s official. I have a five-month-old demon soccer player growing in my uterus. Evidently, it enjoys night games. As I toss and turn, adjusting pillows between my legs and under my back, I realize this is the second week in a row that I am struggling with sleep. I decide I should be productive and head to my office. I’ll work tonight and rest in the recliner tomorrow when the baby quits moving.


I stare at my current work in progress for several minutes. My writing mojo must be on vacation. I’m just not feeling this current story. I swirl my chair, looking out over the lights and sleeping city. As I clear my mind, a new story idea appears. Back at my laptop, I open a new document and let my fingers fly.


I loosely base the characters on Hamilton and myself. The male character is a ball player, and the couple are high school sweethearts. My storyline follows them from high school to college to the MLB. The words quickly pour from my fingertips.


Chapter 156: Madison