The Reason for the Season

By Chrissy Munder

Do you know the reason for the season?

College student Austin Emerson is just trying to make it to his sister’s for the holiday break. He didn’t count on his car’s transmission failing, his ride taking off to Vegas with his gas money, or what the weather forecasters are calling the snowpocalypse. With his options dwindling, Austin takes a chance with a stranger’s number from the campus ride share. It’s only a nine-hour drive, what can go wrong?

Taciturn Maddox Brennan has his own reason for driving from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Flint in the middle of a snowstorm. One he’s not willing to share. When the storm of the century leaves them stranded at a motel, neither one is prepared for their developing closeness. What will happen when the plows make it through? Will they go their separate ways, or will they find there’s more than one reason they were brought together this season?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Dec 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9781685503505

Chrissy Munder

Chrissy Munder writes LGBTQ+ romance filled with everyday people and extraordinary passion to transport readers into their personal world of love, laughter, and desireShe is an avid reader, a wanderer of Michigan’s wilderness, and, while not in any particular order, a lover of lists, legally blind, and a certified crazy cat lady. There are those who might tell you she started writing as a way to justify her office supply addiction, but shhhhh! don’t listen to them.After too many jobs in too many states she’s waiting for her chance to become a full-time Lake Michigan beachcomber. Until then, she’s excited to share her love of romance, laughter, and happy-ever-afters.Come along and share the magic.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Don’t do this to me, man. Austin Emerson pleaded in a strained voice. He stood in the lobby of his dorm, a small duffel bag at his feet, and stared at the cell phone clutched in his white-knuckled grip. Ridiculous as he couldn’t see the face of his friend in the glossy surface, but sometimes instinct won over sense. I’ve been waiting for almost an hour.

Sorry. Jim’s breezy burst of laughter proved his apology false. But she gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse, or at least one hell of a blowjob.

Don’t tell him that!

Austin heard the indignant squeal in the background, the faint slaps and giggles audible over the alternative radio station Jim listened to and thought made him cool. Enough to grasp Jim’s girlfriend didn’t appreciate the comment.

But it was hard for Austin to be concerned about Lori’s injured feelings when not only would he bet the statement true, but he was the one left hanging.

What am I supposed to do now? Austin didn’t know which made him madder: his frustrated whine, or Jim screwing him over yet again. And people accused him of having trust issues.

Austin kicked his duffel to the side, trying to stay out of the way as the few remaining residents rushed around him, eager to head out and away from the grind of the semester.

You can get a ride with someone else. Everybody goes home for Christmas break. Jim sounded off. Probably stoned, and he had promised Austin he wouldn’t get high and drive this trip.

Yeah, and everybody’s already left. Austin paced while he talked, his boots scuffing across the tile floor with each agitated step. A headache pounded behind his eyes and he struggled to stay calm.

He should have known better than to count on Jim, despite his family living the closest to Austin’s sister’s place. They were the last out of their circle of friends still on campus, all because Jim had promised to give Lori a ride after work.

Jim had gone on and on about how this would be his last chance to see her for two weeks. Guilt tripping Austin for wanting to get on the road early and leaving Lori to drive herself home in the snow.

Well, if she had such a problem with snow, then why did she choose to attend a college in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula which boasted about a recorded annual snowfall of over 355 inches on its website?

S’not a big deal, just offer to pay for gas like you did me.

A trio of girls pushed past Austin, bundled against the weather in colorful skiwear and talking a mile a minute. The blonde on the end hit Austin with her bag, knocking him in the shoulder as she passed, and she waved rather than stopped.

Sorry, she called, pulling a knit cap over her curls. The group climbed into an SUV waiting in the front circle and drove off.

A fresh powdering of snow quickly erased the vehicle’s tracks, an ominous confirmation of the day’s weather reporting and the reason Austin had wanted to head south already. The whole incident took only seconds, but it gave Austin the time he needed to regroup.

That’s the problem, asshole. Austin ran a shaking hand over his head. His lips tightened when he mentally counted the few bills left in his wallet. Easy for Jim to act like this was no big deal. I paid you already. I need my money back if you make me find another ride.

You snooze, you lose. Jim laughed again, overpowering Lori’s voice, faint and questioning over the fragile connection. The tank’s full and we’re on the road.

The car’s big enough for all three of us. Austin resented being forced to beg for something they had already arranged, and he didn’t want to be a passenger when the driver was under the influence, but he had promised his older sister, Sherry, he’d be home this holiday, and he always kept his promises.

Of course, this had been before the transmission on his car had gone out, and Austin had to scramble for a ride. Lori’s work usually ran into the afternoon, and they couldn’t have gotten far. If Jim swung back to get him, Austin could talk Jim in to letting him drive, at least until he came down. Come pick me up.

Not happening. We’re on a one-way trip to paradise. Aren’t we, baby? Austin tapped his fingers against his thigh and fumed, forced to listen while Jim and Lori exchanged sloppy kisses. Besides, change of plans. We’re heading west, not south. Leaving all this winter wonderland crap and you sorry losers behind.

Reviews for The Reason for the Season

[gigi9988776 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Super cute! I'd read a sequel.