Blog – alonzohays.com

1 week ago

Hours passed and the sun started to set. The fire had burned low. Hazel had gone to finish her mending. Daniel stood outside by the truck, giving them time. Clara wrapped her scarf slowly, her fingers slightly stiff from the warmth she’d grown used to in the Allen kitchen. The chill would find her again soon, but not yet. Edgar leaned against the door frame, his face half-lit by the glow of the hallway lamp, the bruising along his jaw beginning to darken. He looked steadier now. Worn, yes, but rooted. “I don’t know what happens tomorrow,” he said softly. She nodded. “Neither do I.” “But I know I’ll be at your side… If you want me to be.” Clara stepped closer. She reached out, gently adjusting the collar of his shirt. It was a quiet touch that lingered, her fingertips brushing the curve of his collarbone. “I want you to be,” she said. He swallowed. “You didn’t have to come after me.” he said again. Her eyes lifted to his. “I couldn’t not.” And that was the truth of it. Not heroism or duty. Something more like a tether. He reached for her hand, carefully, as though asking permission even now. She gave it. Their fingers twined. In the hush between them, he leaned forward and kissed her. It wasn’t rushed or fiery. It was soft and warm and full of everything that had nearly broken them but hadn’t. When they pulled apart, Clara’s breath caught slightly. Not from her lungs but from the wonder of it. Outside, Daniel cleared his throat just enough for them to hear. Clara smiled, faintly. “That’s my cue.” Edgar opened the door for her. She stepped through. Before she reached the truck, Clara looked back. He was still there, watching her like something precious. Something he believed in. She held his gaze and then the door closed.MILL CREEK is available now: a.co/d/0d4cLXNm #kindleunlimitedbooks #kindleunlimited #yaromancebooks #writingcommunity #writing #selfpublishing … See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Alonzo Hays

1 week ago

On my way to the rockies to get some fresh air and a little inspiration for Whispers in Silence's follow up. Anyone want to try and guess the title? … See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

Alonzo Hays

1 week ago

Gill appeared beside them, breathless, holding his phone low in his hand, jaw clenched. “Don’t panic,” he said. “But you’re going to want to see this.” He handed the phone to Edgar.“Dude, you can’t just lead with don’t panic…” Edgar said before looking to the screen. Clara leaned in. The screen showed a video, blurry but unmistakable. It was them. The diner. The dance. Clara’s hand on Edgar’s chest, his palm at her waist. The spin. The smiles. The way her hair caught the light when she laughed. There was no audio. None was needed. Overlaid at the bottom was a caption in bold, all caps: THE REDEMPTION PROJECT. HOLY GIRL & HER EX-CON.Clara stepped back, her breath catching.Edgar stared at the screen. “Who—?”“Zeke,” Gill said, grim.“He posted this?”“No. But he definitely gave the order. Someone else posted it through a burner. It’s already getting passed around.”Clara could feel her lungs tightening. Not from her condition, but from shame. Rage. Exposure. It felt violating.Edgar moved to her. “Clara—”She shook her head, fast. “Don’t.”Gretta had seen now too, peering over Gill’s shoulder. “That snake,” she hissed.More laughter rippled down the hallway. More eyes. More staring. Clara turned. She walked at first but as tears started to sting her eyes, she ran. Down the corridor, past the lockers, past the staring eyes, into the old east wing where the lights buzzed faintly overhead and no one came unless they had a reason. Her oxygen hissed softly with every breath. Her hands trembled. Her vision blurred. She reached the door to the unused choir room, pushed it open, and shut it behind her with a click. Silence. Finally. Only the muffled sound of the world beyond it: the cruel chorus of whispers, of that video moving like wildfire through screens and minds and mouths. She pressed her back against the door. For a moment, the weight crushed her.MILL CREEK is available now: a.co/d/08PSNNNU #kindleunlimitedbooks #kindleunlimited #yaromancebooks #writingcommunity #writing #selfpublishing … See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Alonzo Hays

2 weeks ago

The Allen farmhouse was still when Edgar stepped through the door. Hazel had long since retired to her room. The kettle sat cold on the stove, a faint scent of peppermint lingering in the air. The old floor creaked under his boots as he crossed to hang up his coat. In the corner of the living room Daniel sat in his worn chair, bootlaces loose, one hand resting on the armrest the other wrapped around a chipped mug. He didn’t look up when Edgar walked in. “Back late,” he said.Edgar nodded, easing into the chair across from him. “Lost track of time.” “Uh huh.” Silence settled between them. Daniel took a slow sip, then said without inflection, “So. You asked him.” It wasn’t a question. Edgar glanced up. “How’d you know?” Daniel raised an eyebrow. “I thought it was pretty obvious, staying for dinner and all.” Edgar rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish. “Yeah. I asked.” “And?” “He said yes.” Daniel gave a slow, quiet nod. “Good.” That was all he said. Yet, Edgar felt it land somewhere deep. They sat that way for a few minutes. No advice. No lecture. Just the sound of the fire crackling, and the creak of the house settling around them like old bones easing into bed. Then Daniel shifted slightly. “You know what you’re doing?” Edgar exhaled through his nose. “No.” Daniel gave a short grunt that might have been a laugh. “Good. Means you’ll take it seriously.” Edgar looked over. “She’s different.” “She’s not different,” Daniel said, voice low. “She’s real. That’s why you feel it so much.” Edgar nodded. After a pause, Daniel added, “You break her heart, I’ll skin you.” “That’s fair.”MILL CREEK is available now: a.co/d/040kSy7P#kindleunlimited #yaromancebooks #writingcommunity #writing #selfpublishing … See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Alonzo Hays

2 weeks ago

The sun was nearly gone, the sky fading to ash and silver. The fields rolled out quiet before them, and the lantern by the door flickered faintly in the wind. Malik leaned against the porch rail, arms folded. Edgar stood with his hands in his coat pockets, trying to still the nerves gathering behind his ribs. “You’ve been here many Saturdays,” Malik said. “Chopping wood. Carrying feed.” “Yes, sir.” “You’ve also been walking beside my daughter.” Edgar nodded. “Yes, sir.” Malik turned his head fully. “And now?” “I’m asking,” Edgar said. “Formally. To court her. With your permission.” Malik was quiet a long moment. Then he said, “I know how English boys are.” Edgar stiffened. “I’m not—” “They act sweet.” Malik interrupted, “Work hard. Then one day they get bored. Or worse, entitled.” Edgar’s voice was steady. “That’s not me.” “She is not a girl for passing fancy,” Malik said. “She is not your reward. She is not your second chance. She is my daughter.”MILL CREEK is available now: a.co/d/0iyZO5kd #kindleunlimitedbooks #kindleunlimited #yaromancebooks #writingcommunity #writing #selfpublishing … See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook