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

Fred dried off and put on clothes way too quick for Zen’s liking.


“That was awesome, but I’d love a shower.”


Zen nodded in agreement. “There are showers, but it’ll cost you.”


Fred pursed his lips and nodded. “I think I want one anyway.”


Before Zen could say anything, Fred walked toward the camping site facilities.


While the shower had been super short, it left Zen refreshed. How much water he’d drunk, he didn’t know, but it must’ve been gallons. Fred laughed at him when he told him, so maybe not gallons, but a lot. And while he would’ve wanted to take Fred to a fancy restaurant, the hot dog stand they’d eaten by had worked just fine.


“What?” Zen shoved some chips into his mouth.


“It’s gonna be hot tomorrow too.” Fred rustled the newspaper he’d gotten in the store and took a sip of water. “Do you want to drive early in the morning or late in the evening?”


Chapter 25