Magnetic Pull: Gravity Series

By Lacy Diaz

Book II of the Gravity Series follows the lives of Anna, Tyler, and Chad through more turmoil and heartbreak. Anna finally chooses the life she wants only to realize reality has a different plan for her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lacy Diaz
• Release date: Sep 23, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301779659

Lacy Diaz

I am married to a wonderful man I met in high school. We have three awesome, but drastically different children. I have taught writing, reading, and math to developmental students at the college level for years, and I taught writing and photography to children. I now run a human resource department.I received my Masters of Arts in communication from the University of Oklahoma-BOOMER SOONER!I currently reside in the panhandle of Texas and enjoy the wide open spaces.

Book preview

Magnetic Pull: Gravity

By Lacy Diaz

*****

Published by Lacy Diaz

Smashwords Edition

Magnetic Pull: Gravity

Copyright 2012 Lacy Diaz

Thank you for purchasing Magnetic Pull the second book in the Gravity Series. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, places, things, and events are solely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination.

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Chapter 1-Anna

I was still fifteen feet away, but I covered the distance in less time than Demetrie covered his five feet. Tyler was bleeding from his chest. He was gasping for air, so I lifted his head up onto my lap.

Call 9-1-1! I screamed. Ty, baby, just breathe. You’re going to be okay.

Over half the crowd already had their cell phones out, but it made me feel better to say it. Demetrie and Caleb were putting pressure on his wounds trying to slow the bleeding.

All of Logan was here including the top city officials, but apparently not one doctor. I thought things were slow motion before, now every second lasted an hour. The ambulance arrived, while he was still conscious, but barely. The paramedics loaded him draping a sheet over his head to make him appear dead.

I climbed in Chad’s Trans Am shoving my blood soaked wedding dress with the car door forcing it closed. We made it to the hospital seconds after the ambulance.

My heart was pounding, and my head was spinning. I felt like I was going to hurl. Chad had his arm wrapped protectively around my shoulders to prevent me from collapsing, and Brandon held my hand staining his hand with Tyler’s blood. The halls and emergency waiting rooms were now filled with Logan members as paranoia started setting in the air. I could hear the whispers of their questions and fears of who could have done this in our own church in Chatum. I was as scared as they were, but they would never know it.

The doctor came out twenty minutes later, He’s stable enough to send into surgery upstairs. He was shot twice, one punctured his left lung and the other missed his heart by half a centimeter. He was extremely lucky. However, he lost a lot of blood. The nurse will show you to the waiting room upstairs.

The cops were eager beating us to designated location. They started with Demetrie and me, but my father stopped them as I excused myself to the restroom. I was used to being stared at, but the stares were never terrified like they were now. Cynthia knocked on the door as I stared at myself in the mirror, Sweetie, I brought you a change of clothes.

I looked up into the full-length mirror and saw why everyone looked horrified. The front of my dress from top to floor was soaked in Tyler’s blood. My bare arms were covered in his bloody handprints. Even my face had blood smears on it from wiping my tears with my blood-covered hands. He had coughed up blood a few times into my hair, and splattered it on my face. If I had all this blood on me, then he couldn’t possibly have any in him. The debilitating fear swept over me once again as I bent over to keep from hyperventilating.

The tears started flowing as I failed miserably to control myself. Cynthia had brought me my going away outfit a white cotton sundress. I cleaned my face and arms with hand soap and changed as fast I could, but my body seemed to weigh a thousand pounds. My level of functioning was quickly declining.

My mother came in the restroom to check on me, and found me leaning over a sink with my face in my hands. She helped me finish cleaning my body off and then called Cynthia and Chad to lift the dress off of me. The blood had soaked through the dress and into my petticoat and bra. I forced everyone to leave me alone while I finished cleaning my body. I took several deep breaths gathering what composure I could as I swung the door open to the ladies restroom.

The entire family turned to stare at me. I scanned their faces remembering the ones that exhibited the most fear making a mental note to talk to them before they left. I wasn’t just a spoiled little girlfriend. I had naturally fallen into the role of caretaker. I found Caleb, Demetrie, Cynthia, Brandon, Seth, and my father sitting together closest to the waiting room entrance.

Where are the twins? I asked as Lindsey, a member of Caleb’s family, stood to give me a seat.

Your mother took them home to get them away from all of this, Cynthia offered studying me, You holding up?

Yeah, I’m good for now, I lied as convincingly as possible. I knew the rest of the family would be listening. Who did this, guys?

We don’t know Anna, Demetrie whispered, We have some ideas, but nothing concrete enough to order hits on.

Hang on guys, I can’t be apart of this activity, my father said as he stood up to leave the waiting room. He didn’t order me to follow or lecture me on my choices. He simply stood and moved out of earshot.

What are your ideas? I asked as Brandon lifted me from my seat and pulled me into his lap. The gesture comforted me giving me minute amounts of strength.

Anna, don’t get mad, he whispered, But Tyler doesn’t want you involved in this side of the family.

Well, this side of the family just ruined my damn wedding day, so involve me, I ordered.

We can’t, Caleb argued, Only Ty has the power to approve a new member.

Ty could die, I said attempting to hide the crack in my voice when I said the statement out loud. Who would make the decision if Tyler doesn’t make it?

All of their bowed heads lifted slowly in the direction of Caleb. I would pick who led the family down here, Caleb admitted.

Oh, I just assumed Demetrie would, I said quietly. As long as I kept my brain busy, I couldn’t concentrate on Tyler’s surgery. I had to keep talking or I would crumble in front of the entire family.

No, Caleb has the authority to pick, Demetrie informed, Actually, Chad and I are fairly equal within the family, so he would probably step into the role naturally. I’m already handling things on the business side of the family, and wouldn’t have time to do both Tyler’s job and my own.

Yeah, but I don’t know if I want my lil’ brother’s life to become such a target, Caleb admitted, I don’t have much blood family left.

Caleb eyes made contact with Chad for a brief second before they both turned to look about the room.

Well, whoever it is, I want to decide how the shooter dies, I said plainly. I will get that privilege.

Of course, Caleb promised. The conversation died, and the wait started its unbearable progression. I studied the ugly mauve paint that covered the wall in front of me. If I stared at it long enough I could see it slowly turn darker like the blood I still wore in my hair. Chad, Demetrie, and Caleb were discussing things with different members sporadically. I was never able to hear their conversations. Brandon ran his fingers up and down my arm trying to soothe me, but the act was making my skin crawl. He kept getting me water, but it tasted funny. After my second cup, I closed my eyes.

The nurse came out waking me up six hours later. The nurse named Shauna said he flat lined twice, but they were able to get him back quickly and were closing him up now. The shorter brunette nurse said it would be several hours before he was awake and to go eat something as if that was going to happen.

The family took up two large waiting rooms and the hallway in between. Cops and news crews were lined up asking questions by the nurses’ station. I couldn’t believe I had fallen asleep. When did all the media arrive? I climbed out of Brandon’s lap and curled up under one of Chad’s arms until Tyler was moved to a private room. I was starting to shake, and it was easier to tell people I was cold then to admit I was going into shock.

It has to be Carver, Demetrie muttered from the chair on the other side of Caleb.

No, it’s not Carver, Chad insisted tensing his body. Apparently, they had discussed this a few times already.

I agree, Caleb sided with Chad quietly. Carver is dismantled, and those junkies can’t even hold a gun the right way, much less learn to shoot a rifle with a scope.

If not Carver, then who? Demetrie argued, None of the other gangs would touch us.

That’s not true, I whispered, If Carver is out of the way, then they might think it’s their time to rein.

She’s right, Chad agreed, The gangs from Fort Worth might try to take over the rest of DFW.

I think it might be bigger than that, Caleb said almost as an afterthought. I think it might be international.

Mrs. Logan? the short brunette nurse asked walking my direction. I can take you to your husband’s room.

I nodded as Chad and Brandon both quickly stood to stand on both sides of me. I cringed at the weak image I was portraying, but in reality, my knees were shaking enough to convince me I would have fallen otherwise.

I didn’t leave his room, and he didn’t wake up in a couple of hours. The doctors said he was having more trouble recovery and kept him sedated. He didn’t wake up in a couple of days.

I memorized every detail of his temporary home. His floor was white linoleum with dark blue speckles. He had a pathetic view of the west wing of the hospital. He was located on the third floor, so the fourth through the tenth floor blocked the view of the sky. The curtains were thick navy blue rubber backed draw curtains, but they were broke. Maybe the hospital spent all of it’s’ money on medical equipment. His room was fairly large with room for two roll away beds and a recliner, but I asked for only one cot. I didn’t want anyone else up here at night with us. I already had to put up with Demetrie. His hospital gown was green with peach and pink dots slightly shattering his masculine image. The nurses and I were on a first name basis after several days, and I started memorizing their rotations. I watched television on the old style 27 inch that hung absurdly close to Tyler’s bed. I flipped through the reruns of the Andy Griffith Show, Law and Order, and some reality show pausing on Gangland to smile at the irony and symbolism then shut the television off.

Cynthia and Ryan took the twins, and Demetrie and I stayed around the clock. We never left.

Sweetie, what’s wrong? Momma asked concerned.

Just tired Momma, that’s all. I replied with my head in my hands. My irritation level was always in the red zone these days.

I know you better than that Anna. Talk to me. She pleaded.

You know me better, uh. To know how I would react to my husband getting shot twice in the chest in a church on our wedding day. Really? I asked sarcastically.

That’s not what I meant, she argued. You just seemed to have reached your limit.

Momma, I’m tired of fighting of course, but he’s worth it. I argued back.

Maybe God is trying to tell you something if you have to fight for it constantly. Momma suggested.

You don’t get it; it will never be enough. Some things in life are worth fighting for, but Tyler is worth battling for Momma. I will always go to the front line for him. I explained as I looked up at her.

I could tell that is not what she wanted to hear. She put her hand on my face and stroked my cheek with the back of her hand. I love you sweetie.

I know Momma, I love you too. I replied hugging her.

I have some errands to run, but I will call you later.

Yeah, okay Momma, see you later. I said as I laid my head down on Tyler’s bed. Before I could even close my eyes, the doctor came in resting his arms across his chest.

Okay, Mrs. Logan we’ve taken your husband off of sedation. He should start waking up within a few hours. He’s going to be very groggy. Just give him some time.

But he will wake up right? I asked concerned. No one else was in the room for once allowing me to ask the question that I was starting to fill with certainty was never going to happen.

Yes, Anna he will wake up. He assured me as he walked out. I still had trouble believing it no matter how many times I told family members that very answer.

I laid my head back on Tyler’s bed looking over his face one more time. He looked so pale and weak. I was used to him being strong and unbreakable. I closed my eyes, but all I could see was him staggering, his white tuxedo shirt turning red and him falling to the floor. I hadn’t slept in four days. I quit drinking anything Brandon or Chad gave me because I was certain they were spiking it with something to make me sleep. I knew they were only trying to help, but I wanted to be awake when he woke. When I finally did fall asleep, I slept hard.

I woke up hours later to someone’s fingers running over my face. I opened my eyes and looked up to see Tyler awake.

Hey Ty, it’s so good to see your eyes! I said smiling, waking up immediately. His tube had been removed from his throat and I hadn’t even waked up for it.

Hey beautiful, he said scratchy.

How do you feel, I asked. My eyes burned with tears that I couldn’t begin to prevent.

A little weak, what happened? he asked.

You were shot twice in the chest, one went through your lung and another barely missed your heart. I explained quietly. The doctors lost you twice during surgery and you’ve been under heavy sedation for about a week.

So I’m guessing this happened before the vows? he asked.

Well I was fifteen feet from you when it happened. I answered.

Demetrie walked in about that time with food for us. Hey, you’re finally awake. Bout damn time man. He joked. How you feelin’?

You two been taking turns up here? Tyler asked. I could see Tyler’s strength, concern, and will power hadn’t been affected by the shooting. He woke up swinging ready to take on the world.

No, she won’t leave and for the most part I don’t either. I do go for food and occasionally a shower, though. Demetrie explained.

Where are the girls? Tyler choked out.

Cynthia and Ryan have them; in fact, they should be here in about fifteen minutes. I answered.

Did they see it? he asked bluntly.

Yeah, Ty, they did, but it will be okay. I assured. They’re tough.

I want both of you to go home tonight and sleep in a bed, okay. He ordered in a crackling voice.

Whatever you want man, I can bring the girls home for a night. Give Cynthia and Ryan a break you know. Demetrie said.

You too, Anna, go home. Promise me. He said.

You’re bringing out the big guns. I joked trying to get him off the subject.

I want you to go home for the night. He insisted.

Okay, but you better not die on me. Swear. I demanded weakly. I needed to show Tyler that I was strong enough to handle his life. I didn’t want him getting spooked again, and sending me away. I am strong.

Nothing’s going to kill me Anna! he struggled laughing a little. He smiled pulling my hand to his mouth as he kissed the back of my hand. Go home.

He was groggy drifting in and out of sleep. I took the girls home that night. We ate dinner and watched some animated princess movie with a damsel in distress waiting to be saved. I needed the distraction or I was going to lose my mind.

The twins fell asleep before it was over allowing me to turn it off early. I had Demetrie carry them to their rooms, so I could get ready for bed. I stayed in the hot shower for almost an hour postponing climbing into Tyler and my king size bed alone. I finally had Chad come upstairs and watch a movie with me allowing me the excuse of falling asleep on the couch. He must have known my true reasons because I awoke on the couch covered with a blanket. I didn’t just miss him. My life felt out of balance as if my whole world was shifted leaning dangerously to one side. I didn’t have him in the opposite scale equaling me.

I took the twins to school the next morning and went up to the hospital. When I walked into the room, two cops were already there with about ten members of Logan surrounding Tyler.

What’s going on here? I demanded as I walked in the room. My voice was hardly the demanding powerhouse I had intended, but it was the best I could do on the spur of the moment. The nurses were threatening security and ordering everyone out, but no one was budging.

Tyler was still in intensive care and the nurses had always been lenient with us, but they were not allowing a standoff in the ICU.

One of you better answer me right now! I threatened of the guys from Logan.

Chad squeezed through four of the guys, Anna, these cops think they are going to interrogate Tyler without anyone here.

Chad, how is that even possible? There isn’t even room for me in this room. Now someone want to tell me how all of you got up here this quickly? I demanded squeezing in front of the cops. I accidentally bumped one of them with my bag, and he reached out gripping my shoulder. Milliseconds passed as I was jerked, twisted, and half thrown before my body came to a stop. My arms ached from the forceful movement. I no longer had my bag or cell phone that I had been holding. I reached up moving the hair that was covering my face to see that I was at the back of the group. Seth, Mark, Michael, and Brandon were blocking me completely from the cops, but I was standing right next to Tyler’s bed. I reached down squeezing his hand before making my way back to the front of the guys. I understood protective, but seriously, how badly could police officers harm me in the intensive care unit of a hospital with half the family present.

Chad, explain now! I ordered annoyed.

Well, Seth and I were coming up here to see him before work and we saw the cops coming in and the other guys were in the waiting room from last night. Chad explained.

Okay, well everyone out. Everyone. I announced then I looked at the cops. "You can wait out in the waiting room until