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

“She waited until I got into the police academy before telling me I wasn’t welcome back, so technically, I don’t think you can say she threw me out.”


Fred pursed his lips. “I guess. Though she could hardly stand me before she knew either.”


“What? Why?” Zen’s eyes were hard as stone.


“Well, I’m…me.” Fred gestured at himself, the whole geeky mess of himself.


“I’m not good at anything. I get all flustered around people, I mess up, I worry about every decision I have to make, I take too long to answer questions, I never know how to answer—”


Zen grabbed hold of his hand and pulled him close with such force Fred all but fell into his lap. The kiss stopped any more words from leaving his mouth.


“You’re awesome. Never let anyone tell you differently, and I’m so glad you came along on this trip. It means a lot to me.” Zen kissed his forehead before leaning back on his elbows and watching the river.


Chapter 13