Fred Munson likes his job as a traffic cop. He’s good at it. It’s his personal life that could use some improvement. With no friends, and being too shy to talk to anyone while out of uniform, when Fred is forced to use some of his vacation time, he has nothing to fill his days. At least not until he comes home to find his driveway blocked by a stranger with car troubles. A month after losing his father, Zen Zeppelin Cave has also lost his place in the world. The only thing holding him together is focusing on a charity junk car race to raise money for cancer research. And he's crossing that finish line even if he ends up replacing every part of the car along the way. Zen had planned on completing the race on his own, but a spur-of-the-moment decision changes that when he invites the adorable, blushing police officer whose driveway he’s blocking to tag along. Going with a stranger on a road trip is completely out of Fred’s comfort zone, so when he accepts the invitation, no one is more surprised than himself. Together, Zen and Fred head south. But will the old junk car hold together long enough to reach their destination? And will crossing the finish line mean the end of the road for a budding romance, or will they find there’s more to their journey?

Banger Challenge

“I can drive slowly if it makes you feel less guilty.” Raymond barked a laugh, Fred didn’t as much as smile. He didn’t have a clue what he would do for the next three weeks. Time off wasn’t something he enjoyed, but it would be a relief to not have to see Raymond every day.


“It’s all right, drive as you usually do.” Fred focused on the blast wafting over his skin, the hot-car scent was slowly being replaced by fresh air as the AC worked full force.


Raymond grinned. “Look at you, all upset. I hardly thought you had it in you.” He adjusted the backrest and turned on the radio. “Nancy and I are going to the cabin. I don’t want to work late today.”


Fred nodded. Raymond never wanted to work late, weekend plans or no. One day, Fred would learn to be more authoritarian. Being in his uniform helped a lot. He was far braver on the job than he was in his personal life, but one day, he’d stand up to his colleagues.


Chapter 4