Edwin Masters has spent his entire life lusting after one car -- a 1962 Alfa Romeo Spider 2600. When he finally buys one, it changes the entire shape and meaning of his world. The car comes with a guest, and the restless spirit is awakened by Edwin.<br><br>Cooper James, the young man who died behind the wheel forty-seven years earlier, haunts the Spider and he wants a life. He wants Edwin. So he reaches out, sucking Edwin into a deepening abyss by exploiting demons from a past Edwin can't break from.<br><br>Edwin resists, struggling against the phantom in favor of an attractive, exciting young man who wants to be with him, Carson Heston. Carson holds the key to Edwin's salvation, but every time he gets close, Cooper terrorizes him. Edwin knows he'll be lost forever if he submits to Cooper's dark promise of release and relief, but that might be the only way to save Carson's life.

On a Bruised Road

“I know a few steps. But not many. It’s hard to find somebody who’ll practice dancing with a ghost.”


“What about other ghosts?” Edwin lifted his head. “There are other ghosts, I presume?”


“Sure. All kinds of ghosts.” Cooper’s arm was tight around Edwin’s back, and he rested his head on his shoulder with a soft sigh. His hair smelled of sunshine on leather. He was surprisingly warm. The material of his jacket grew damp beneath Edwin’s hand, absorbing his sweat. “I mean, they’re everywhere.”


The song started over again, Elvis crooning about wise men, but Edwin didn’t really care. Maybe Cooper could only remember two or three songs from his youth. Or maybe Edwin just kept replaying the songs he knew came from 1962.


“Not really. People are ghosts for a reason, you know. They’re all caught up in their own psychodramas and reliving their mistakes. They live in hells of their own making.”


Chapter 19