On a Bruised Road

Chapter 2-2

Dream baby got me dreaming sweet dreams the whole day through.

The line played through Edwin’s head on a constant loop. Over and over and over. It might not have bothered him so much if he could remember the rest of the lyrics, but those were the only words stuck in his mind. He also might not have minded too much if the song didn’t make him feel so uneasy, but after about the hundredth reiteration, Roy Orbison was beginning to take on some very sinister qualities.

Roy Orbison wasn’t actually there in his dream. But the song infused his mind, playing at louder and louder levels until all conversation—even the dream words that didn’t make any sense—was completely lost, and every person who opened their mouths only added to the growing chorus. The last person who started singing was a young man with blond hair, green eyes, and a muscular yet trim body. Edwin had never seen him before, but in dream logic, he had known the younger man his entire life. Had even called him by name.

Cooper.

Dream baby got me dreaming…

They were at his prom, except the gym looked completely different. The decorations were out-of-date, and everybody wore ridiculously old-fashioned tuxedos and dresses. But he knew it was his prom because he recognized most of the faces, and he was wearing the dark blue tuxedo he had rented for the night. Sally, his date, was on his arm—a girl he had never even kissed, but she still seemed to like him well enough.

Sweet dreams the whole day through.

A huge banner above the stage announced the theme—SWEET DREAMS—and the year—1980—and the band was his brother’s band. Which was all wrong, because Stu would never, ever be caught dead playing at anybody’s prom. Especially his loser younger brother’s.

Dream baby got me dreaming…

“Can I have this dance?”

Cooper looked him directly in the eye, as though Edwin weren’t already dancing with Sally. As though it was perfectly acceptable for two young men to lean into each other and sway with the plaintive song. Edwin understood him, despite the fact that his words were just more song lyrics. The whole night through. He reached out and took Cooper’s hand. His fingers were icy but firm, and he pulled Edwin away from Sally like the girl didn’t exist—didn’t matter—at all. Maybe she didn’t.

And just who the f**k was Cooper?

Edwin opened his mouth to ask as much and was horrified to discover he was doing his own rendition of “Sweet Dreams.” Cooper frowned, his beautiful green eyes creasing in confusion. Edwin tried again, desperate to form a question around the relentless lyrics, but he was trapped. Drowning in the music.

The music stopped, blessedly. Only to be replaced by a relentless beat. One. Two. Three. One. Two. Three. Dance. Two. Three. Cooper seemed to be vibrating in front of him, and Edwin gripped him, unwilling to be yanked away until he had his answer. Who are you? Who are you? Dream baby. You got me dreaming sweet dreams.

“Edwin!”

The sound of his own name pulled him from the dream. A quick glance at the clock told him an hour had passed.

“Edwin! Are you coming or what?” Blake called.

“Yeah, I…” If he was hesitant to go to the bar before, he wasn’t now. He had never needed a drink more in his life.