External Forces: Gravity Series

By Lacy Diaz

The third installment of the Gravity Series follows Anna's struggle with Logan and decision to allow the family to shape her life. Tyler's patience, control, and strength are tested as he copes with his greatest loss yet, while Chad fights for what he wants most.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lacy Diaz
• Release date: Nov 18, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301222087

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

External Forces: Gravity

By Lacy Diaz

*****

Published by Lacy Diaz

Smashwords Edition

External Forces

Copyright 2012 Lacy Diaz

Thank you for purchasing External Forces. 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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A special thanks to my sisters for always being the first to buy and read my books. I am so thankful and incredibly lucky to have two sisters like you.

Chapter 1 Chad

I was what would have been considered a momma’s boy. My mother and I had an un-severable bond. She tried to sacrifice her life for me; and instead, I watched them slice her throat open. Carver turned me into the monster I am that day.

My mom was perfect in a quirky way. She never forgot Christmas parties at school or football practices. She always had the homework you forgot to put in your backpack as you climbed out of the car. She was never late picking us up from school. She was patient and loving. Her smile would warm my chest calming all my fears. Carver robbed me of her smiles. The last memory I have of my mom, she was lying on the floor with her hands tied behind her back and a dirty rag gagging her. She was bleeding from her throat, nose, and head as she made eye contact with me. The intent was to let me know everything was okay, but then Carver shot me. Her expression turned in an instant from sufferable calmness to immense grief. She was terrified, and since that moment, I haven’t been able to recall her smile.

Anna Caplin scared the hell out of me. She was innocent like my mom, but tough like Logan. She was younger than I was, but more mature. She was different from all the other girls in Chatum. She was classy, sophisticated, normal, and she had her own money. She also had whatever it was that made me want to fall at her feet doing anything she desired. She was the only girl in my entire life that made me forget what had been done to my parents and brother. Anna made me feel like I was just a normal guy that was dating a normal girl. The other girls in Logan thrived on my reputation. Anna didn’t care about Logan or Chatum. She was pure, and that was a rarity in Chatum. She made me feel like the twenty-two year old guy I was, not the murder. Tyler Logan was my family though, family in Chatum was everything, and I knew he wanted her.

Tyler and I were like brothers. I didn’t have to give Anna up because Tyler outranked me. He had never ordered any of us to sacrifice something we wanted for him to have it. He did outrank me and could order me to abandon my quest for Anna, but the family was who expected me to give her up. They insisted I respect Tyler’s desires over my own because he had sacrificed everything for our family. My forfeit was assumed.

Forfeiting seemed wrong though. Me ignoring her at lunch was wrong. Me kissing her that night in her apartment was right. My hands on her skin, my tongue in her mouth, and my body on hers was perfect bliss. However, perfect bliss was not forfeiting.

I had never given much thought to the things I quit in life, and I had thrown in the towel more than I cared to share. I wasn’t one that liked to try. I either was born a master or born without…period. I believed firmly that if I had to fight for something than I must be fighting against God’s plan for me because he would have given me anything he wanted me to have. I wasn’t overly competitive either, so I didn’t understand how I was supposed to handle Anna, Tyler, and my situation. Was I supposed to fight for her? Shouldn’t she feel about me the way I feel about her? I shouldn’t have to declare my feelings for her. Either she wants me or she doesn’t was my normal philosophy, but this time my heart wasn’t buying the pitch my brain was selling. My heart wanted the opportunity to compete and win, and I knew I would because I had held her in my arms. She belonged to me. If we had been in one of those awkward werewolf novels, than she would have already been marked and declared as mine. Too bad, we weren’t in some animal pack where competing wolves fight for the girl to win her affection. I could definitely take Tyler when Anna was at stake. I had known her less than a month, but she felt like I knew her my whole life.

****Tyler****

Chad, what have you told Anna? I asked as I came down the stairs. He was lying on the couch flipping through channels on the television.

What are you talking about Ty? he asked distracted as if I was interrupting his thought process. Chad was always overanalyzing. The guy could live in his head arguing with himself over the finest detail. Who’d thought that a girl would have affected us so deeply? I held very few women in such a high regard, and none of those women did I want in my bed. Anna was a first, and I was fairly certain that she was a first for Chad as well.

The family, what have you told her? I clarified impatiently.

She asked if we did anything dangerous, he said turning the television off to focus on our conversation. I told her that we only did what we had to do, you know, I kept it vague. Man, I’m not a dumbass. I know what I can and can’t say. Damn.

She just asked about my family in Ukraine, and if we were into weapons, I explained.

I was never that specific, Chad assured, Will must have shared information.

Damn lawyers. What happened to lawyer client privilege, I said exhaling slowly. I gotta call Will.

Oh yeah, let me know how that goes, he laughed, Lawyer client privilege went out the window when he realized his only daughter was fraternizing with the criminals.

Shut up jack ass, I said half-laughing standing up from the couch.

She was quickly becoming my unicorn that I never knew I wanted until her eyes met mine at the funeral. My knees lost their strength at the same time as my brain lost its’ ability to process messages from my body. I knew Chad had a weird infatuation with Will’s daughter, but none of us had met her. I assumed her lack of attainability was her appeal. I had assumed his obsession was lust based, and I couldn’t allow him to destroy our relationship with Will. Finding a lawyer who held a perfect record, and was willing to overlook the fact that we were almost always guilty was a difficult feat that I didn’t care to repeat. However, I was wrong. He was as bent for her as I was.

Not climbing into my bed with her last night took superhuman strength. I loved her, and I didn’t even know her. She woke up this morning different. She acted as if she didn’t remember where she was or what we had done or almost done the night before. Almost…an important distinction because I was not adding her to a list of one night stands.

She asked questions. I was the leader of Logan and protecting the family was more important than my own wishes. I wanted Anna like I needed to breathe. She wasn’t just asking innocent curiosities though, but questions about the family and our life. I felt completely torn between my responsibilities and my own desires.

****Anna****

My dream was vivid; I woke up literally thinking I was twenty-eight years old and married with a family. I felt every detail of my dream, the physical pain, the emotional pain, the love, the fear, the protectiveness, and the loss. I truly felt every sensation and every conversation. I examined my body thoroughly for signs that I wasn’t dreaming. I was positive that I had just attended Grace and Chad’s wedding. I remembered our trips to Fiji with intimacy, how could I not have lived them? I could still feel Tyler’s body touching mine. I closed my eyes for a second to remember the way his arms felt around me. The way it felt to be loved by him.

However, I also remembered Candace’s party, and the last week that I had spent with Chad. I didn’t remember them like a distant memory that faded over six years, but like the past week that it was. The vivid dream was slowly fading in detail with every minute I was awake. My familiarity with Tyler was fading with the details. I quickly dressed in a pair of denim shorts and a tank top that Cynthia had brought over. I pulled my hair into a ponytail and gathered my stuff as if the room was on fire dashing through each activity. I slipped on my sandals and took off out the door. I took the stairs two at a time finding Cynthia sitting at the bar.

You ready? I asked her. She was flirting with Demetrie, who was cooking breakfast for the two of them. How did I allow him to convince me to stay the night? At least I didn’t sleep with him, although that was probably exactly, what he was planning.

No, Demetrie just started making the food, she said dismissively. I didn’t attempt to hide the need to escape on my face. In fact, I made absolutely sure she saw my expression.

Why don’t you stay for a little while, Tyler suggested from the dining room startling me. I hadn’t seen him as he walked over to the bar.

Uhh…well, I have school work I need to finish, I lied almost in a panic. He was interpreting my behavior change, and studying my overall expression. He reminded me of Tyler from my dream weakening me just slightly.

Chad, can you take me home? I asked before Tyler had the chance to offer. Please!

Chad stared at me for a minute before Tyler answered for him, Of course he can.

Thanks, I have a project that I have to finish, I lied again, I’ve put it off as long as possible.

No problem, Tyler said as Chad cautiously stood up from the couch. Tyler walked Chad and I out to the Trans Am parked in the driveway. Chad immediately climbed in the front seat not bothering to open my door. Tyler leaned in close to me almost pinning me against the car door. His presence was as strong as I remembered weakening my fear. He smelt of the same cologne and body wash from my dream. I never dreamed, yet this one I could even smell during. I was definitely losing my mind.

Listen, I don’t know what changed between us from last night, but my feelings for you haven’t changed.

I didn’t respond simply bowing my head and biting my lower lip. He sounded absurd, ridiculous, and unrealistic. He had a silver tongue, but I wasn’t buying it. I wanted to get away from him. I needed to get away from him, so I didn’t have to worry about any of the things in my dream happening in real life. He was certainly good looking, but he was on the verge of needing to be committed, and I don’t find crazy…attractive.

If you have time, when you finish…will you text me or call? he asked in a defeated tone.

I don’t know, I answered honestly, as he released his arms opening the door for me. I climbed inside as he shut the door for me.

What the hell happened last night? Chad asked with a hint of anger in his voice. Did he hurt you?

No, no nothing like that, I assured, I just don’t think I want to be a part of his life.

You’re rejecting him? Chad asked in astonishment. Seriously…let’s see how long this lasts.

Chad, I’m not rejecting him because I don’t find him attractive or charming, but I can’t be a gang member’s girlfriend, I argued. That life is not who I am.

By ‘that life’ you are talking about my life too, he realized disappointed. You didn’t have this attitude yesterday, so what happened last night? Did he do something? Because Anna, if he hurt you, I will take care of it.

No, I just…had a wakeup call ya know, I explained without telling him about my dream. I didn’t see the sense in making him think I needed to be committed to an insane asylum.

Anna, I’m not letting you slip away from me, he argued adamantly as he reached across the drive shaft grabbing my hand. My nerves burned causing my fingers to spread and interlace with his fingers before I realized what I was doing and pulled away.

Why not? I asked surprised by his reaction. What about Megan? What about lunch the other day? What is so special about me?

I explained lunch the other day, he started, If you are rejecting Tyler, then I have no reason to give you up. Megan is nothing; I never even kissed her. I never was going to kiss her. I’m not that big of an ass, Anna. My heart belongs to you, and I wanted to be available as long as you were. I said I loved you remember? I meant it. I’ve never had to say I love you to a girl to get what I wanted, so if I said it, then I meant it. Understand.

Damn he had a silver tongue too, and I was having a much more difficult time not falling at Chad’s feet when any sound at all came out of his mouth.

If our situation was different, then I would belong to you in a heartbeat, I said as we pulled up to my apartment complex, But I’m not available to be some Logan girl.

Logan girl, he laughed as we got out of his car, What is that?

I just don’t want to be a member of Logan’s girlfriend, I tried to explain unsuccessfully. Every time I referenced something from my dream, I was laughed at as if I was delusional. My dream was embarrassing me. Maybe I was being foolish, but I felt the horrific pain of being kidnapped, of miscarrying, and of being targeted. I felt like God was giving me a premonition of the life I was about to enter into, so that I could redirect my life. I would have the opportunity to choose differently before I was in too deep. I wasn’t ditzy. I didn’t need a giant blinking red light to catch my attention; however, I got exactly that.

Is this because of our conversation the other night about how dangerous it would be to date one of us? he asked as we reached my apartment. I didn’t unlock my front door though. I turned and talked to him in front of my apartment.

I don’t know, maybe, I lied allowing me to blame something aside from my dream.

Is this an official ‘you’re not invited in’? he asked surprised. Listen, Anna…life is scary all on its’ own. You don’t have to be involved with my family to be in danger. At least with us, we can protect you.

I don’t need protection, if ya’ll aren’t in my life, I corrected crossing my arms across my chest. I was unsuccessfully attempting to get angry with him, so I wouldn’t want him to come inside my apartment. However, the only emotion I was feeling was love. I should not feel this deeply this quickly. How was I capable of kissing Tyler last night, but falling so hard for Chad? Denial? Maybe? Ugh. I’m stupid that is how I can feel love after such an absurdly short time.

You have a stalker that lives right down stairs, he reminded ending my self-lecture; I’ve never seen a guy buck up to Tyler like he did. That dude is crazy, and we kept you safe from your own life.

I can handle Justin, I promised, I don’t need some hero saving me.

We weren’t trying to be your hero, he argued not bothering to hide his aggravation, We care about you.

Thank you, I said quietly allowing our frustrations to breathe. I really do have a project for class to finish.

Right, I’ll let you jump to that, he said turning around to leave. He got halfway to the stairs when he turned around and came back. He wrapped his hands over my shoulders and kissed my cheek. Call me when you finish, please.

I have to go see my parents tonight, I lied. I figured I could always drive over there, so that I wasn’t lying. He wasn’t buying my excuse. He turned to leave again, but stopped.

Who told you the family was into weapons? he asked without looking at me.

What? I asked unlocking my door.

You asked Tyler, he reminded vaguely turning to face me this time. He had a look of suspicious betrayal that for an unexpected reason caused me pain. I would never betray him. I knew loyalty just as much as he did.

Oh, I don’t know, educated guess, I said clueless. You said it wasn’t anything illegal, so that doesn’t leave very many options that still produce substantial money, and are shady enough to be considered gang activity.

Ukraine, he asked as if my reasoning was barely sufficient.

I think I read online that his mother was Ukrainian, and he said that his uncles helped them out after his parents died, I explained opening my door. Between that and your information, weapons were the only thing I could think of that it could be.

I didn’t open the door all the way; I held the handle cracking it open as a hint that we were finished. I stood with my back against the door until Chad finally nodded his head that he understood. He turned for the third time to leave when I opened my apartment door.

Chapter 2 Anna

Holy…, I said pulling my phone from my bag. My entire apartment had been trashed. My sofa was torn, and thrown, my television smashed, and even my carpet was cut. I walked into my apartment to see my blinds ripped down, my metal bar stools were mangled, my laptop was dismantled. I dialed my daddy’s number, but he didn’t answer.

Damn, I told you that your life was more dangerous than mine, Chad said being careful not to step on my destroyed belongings.

I’ve never experienced drive-bys, I reminded, Oh, no my car!

I’ll check it out, he said laughing lightly under his breath. He picked up several books setting them on a shelf. You buy into all that commercialized romance stuff huh?

What? I snapped.

Your books, he gestured, Do you buy books that aren’t already made into movies?

I buy what I like, I replied unapologetically.

You have all these romance books, but you don’t own one classic, he remarked snidely.

Oh, and you’re well read in the literature department? I doubted examining my laptop.

No, but I much prefer Romeo and Juliet to Twilight, he commented thumbing through several more books he retrieved from the floor.

Speaking of literature made into movies, I said dryly. Listen, not that I have to defend my taste in books, but the ‘classics’ like all other ‘classics’ deserve their status as ‘the greats in all their glory’; however, ‘classics’ are far past their time of actual enjoyment reading. I mean when was the last time a Bronte sisters’ book was read by the masses for actual pleasure. Cliff notes Chad that is what classic literature has evolved into. The majority of people like modern fairytales, not books they have to translate the grammar to Basic English just to read it, and anyways, you don’t strike me as a reader.

I’m not, he agreed, I took English literature last semester, and I didn’t even buy the cliff notes.

You watched the movies didn’t you? I assumed picking up my smaller flat screen television off the floor.

Yes, I did, he smiled, I’m going to check on your car. His phone started ringing before he got out of the apartment.

****Chad****

Hey man what’s up? I asked as I answered my phone jogging down the stairs to the apartment complex’s parking lot.

What’s taking so long? Tyler asked less cocky and confident than usual.

That crazy dude from the party trashed her apartment, I said as I continued to walk, Oh, shit dude you should see her car…her poor car. An automobile should not be treated in such a manner. He totaled it. I didn’t really like her beetle anyways, but damn.

I’m coming over, Tyler insisted hanging up the phone.

Damn… I said out loud again. Her Beetle was missing all of its windows. The convertible top was shredded. The headlights and taillights were busted, and the tires were slashed. The seats were ripped; the padding destroyed. I had to admire the guy’s dedication to demolishing her belongings. He had it down to an art.

Anna joined