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 think Spring River Grounds is to the east.” He changed lanes again, in the direction of the exit he believed they should take.


“It’ll be the same people as last Saturday. All the cars will be parked in a row, and there will be a barbecue and some fun and games.”


Fred shuddered and Zen couldn’t help but laugh. “You don’t have to take part in any of it.” He squeezed his fingers, wishing he knew what to say to calm him down. “At seven the auction will begin and the highest bidders get the cars.”


“So there will be loads of people there to take part in the auction?”


Eh…Zen had figured they’d stay, have a couple of beers with the guys. “Well, I guess. I figured we’d sleep in the tent tonight and go early tomorrow morning.”


He hadn’t booked a room anywhere. Justin would most likely sleep in his truck. He usually did.


Fred nodded, his lips the same thin line as before.


Chapter 34