Read Online Beyond Layers: Layer Series Book Four (Layers Series 4) by TL Alexander - Free Book Online

were pressuring her to get married, so she bought herself a ring and told them I asked her to marry me. I found out, of course, and confronted her, and… well, I agreed to let them think we were engaged until things cooled down.”
    “But things never cooled down?”
    He shakes his head. “No, they didn’t. I got caught with another woman, pictures and all. Her father confronted me and I told him the truth. It nearly got me traded, but we managed to get past it and became good friends.”
    “But Janet?”
    “It took her awhile, but she got over it. She’s engaged to be married to some doctor next summer.”
    I sit down for the rest of the story. “Okay. Then what was last night all about?” I ask, and down half my beer.
    He sits across from me, peeling the label off his bottle. “It’s a stupid and long story,” he says, his eyes on his fingers.
    “You don’t have to tell me, Logan.”
    He looks up. “I want to. I want you to know that I’m not with her or anyone. I like you, Sam. A lot.”
    I nod, not knowing what to say.
    “Janet’s best friends with my brother Jared’s wife, Sandy. Sandy hates my guts and feels the need to try and fuck up my life whenever she gets a chance.”
    “Okay,” I say, having no idea where this is going and not knowing if I want to.
    “I spoke with my mom and told her about you coming over for dinner. She told my brother Jared and he told Sandy. Mom had no idea Sandy was still doing what she does best, being a bitch, and interfering with my life. Anyway, Sandy called Janet and begged her to come to the beach and cause problems.”
    “I see,” I say, even though I don’t.
    “Bottom line, Sam, Janet’s not a part of my life.”
    He finishes his beer, gets up, and grabs two more out of the fridge. I down the rest of mine; he takes it and hands me a new one.
    I shouldn’t press him, but I can’t help myself. What he told me just doesn’t make sense. “What about your brother? Do you not get along?”
    He sits across from me again and begins to peel the new label. Is he nervous? Why?
    “I like him just fine, he’s my brother.” He pauses. “However, I filter what I tell him. It’s sad. Sandy’s involvement with my family has made things… harder.”
    “Harder?”
    He shakes his head and looks up at me. “My…” Heavy sigh. “It’s complicated.”
    I smile in an effort to ease his obvious nerves. “I know all about complications,” I say, and roll my eyes.
    He smirks. “I thought you might,” he says and looks back at his hands.
    “What?”
    “Nothing,” he tells me, peeling the damn label.
    “Logan, you’re as transparent as I am. Just tell me.”
    He looks at me. “I was nervous about coming over here. The way you left last night, I didn’t know what to think.”
    I don’t believe that’s what is bothering or upsetting him but I let it go. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to get involved with whatever was going on between you and Janet. I hate confrontations with exes.”
    He tilts his head. “Had a lot of them?”
    “No, not a lot.”
    “Most women would have reacted differently than you did. But then again, angel, you’re not most women.”
    I smile at him, not knowing what to say, but liking what he said.
    “So, you’re okay with me staying here?”
    “I don’t know how long I’ll be here. But… I’m good with it. More than good, actually.”
    He stands and reaches for my hand. “Why don’t you show me around?”
    I set my beer on the coffee table and take his hand. “Okay.”
    I show him around the cottage and when we reach the guest bedroom, I tell him he can unpack his things there. He puts his bag on the bed as he gives me a more than obvious, disappointed half-smile.
    Do I want to sleep with him? Hell yes! But is it a good idea? I’m not sure, now I’ve had more time to think on it.
    He follows me back out into the great room. “Are you hungry?”
    He sits at the bar. “I could eat.”
    I pull out fixings for