The Scenic Route

By Chrissy Munder

Ed Baldwin left his home in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula right after graduation and vowed never to return. He’s patched things up enough that he’s bringing long-time boyfriend Joe Sutton home to meet the family. Ed knows no family dynamic is ever perfect, but with the differences between their upbringings, he worries this will be the deal-breaker in their relationship.

Nervous and on-edge, Ed picks a fight with Joe the entire trip. When Joe has enough and stops at a run-down motel to take a break, their relationship is tested in a way Ed never imagined. There’s not a lot of rest to be had at the Easy Rest Motel and Ed must learn to trust both himself and Joe before they become permanent guests. But that’s not the end of their adventure and Ed knows one thing -- this is the last time he lets Joe take the scenic route.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Nov 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781646569182

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

The Scenic Route

By Chrissy Munder

Published by JMS Books LLC at Smashwords

Visit jms-books.com for more information.

Copyright 2021 Chrissy Munder

ISBN 9781646569182

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Cover Design: Written Ink Designs | written-ink.com

Image(s) used under a Standard Royalty-Free License.

All rights reserved.

WARNING: This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If it is sold, shared, or given away, it is an infringement of the copyright of this work and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review.

This book is for ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It may contain sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which might be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Published in the United States of America.

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With appreciation to Aimée and Karen for keeping me going and Clare, for reminding me not only I can, but I should.

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The Scenic Route

By Chrissy Munder

Chapter 1

I told you.

Ed Baldwin muttered a quiet curse. If the word smug came with an illustration in the world’s dictionary, on the page would be the strong profile of the man sitting beside him in the driver’s seat, his features highlighted by the soft glow from the dashboard.

Ed squirmed in the low-slung bucket of the passenger seat and his jeans rustled against the dark gray leather. The road needed resurfacing and each jounce and bump of the car’s suspension scored a direct hit to his bladder.

Was this his fault for drinking all that iced tea at dinner given the desolate distance of their drive? Maybe. He hadn’t asked for the final two refills, so technically he shouldn’t have felt compelled to finish each glass.

Somehow, despite his twenty-eight years, when faced with a determined waitress, Ed couldn’t escape his mother’s voice in his head guilting him over all the thirsty children in the world.

The damn rain didn’t help. He couldn’t think about anything other than needing to use the restroom with the constant downpour. The gods might as well have turned on a faucet for all the effect of the storm.

I’m not listening. The waistband of Ed’s jeans pinched his belly when he leaned forward and increased the volume on the CD player to drown out his boyfriend.

Strike number two. With no gym in his immediate future, he shouldn’t have eaten that bacon cheeseburger. Or the fries. Why did carbohydrates taste so good? And what would be strike three?

Ed turned away, preferring to peer through the rivers streaming across the passenger window at the surrounding blackness than admit Joe Sutton was right once again.

Yes. His behavior was irrational, but any thoughts Ed had about asking Joe to pull over so he could relieve the building pressure had disappeared at the knowing tone in Joe’s voice. The rising wave of irritation tightened the muscles of his neck and shoulders, and he hunched lower in his seat. I’m ignoring you.

Joe reached for the volume control. The soft music faded into the background with his action. Ignore me all you want; you know I’m right. We go through this every time. Why do you care so much about what people think?

Rain beat a steady pattern against the windshield and the wipers moved in a predictable counter rhythm as they worked to clear the glass. Their head lights illuminated the road ahead, the only sign of activity on the two-lane road. The

Reviews for The Scenic Route

[serenayates · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a story that starts out deceptively 'normal' before it turns decidedly creepy. If lonely motels in the middle of nowhere fascinate you - this is one you're going to like.