The Summer King Bundle 3 Stories - Jennifer L. Armentrout Page 0,168

I’m Tink. We’re roomies. We have joint custody of Dixon.”

My brows puckered. “We do not have joint custody of your cat.”

“Not true. He sleeps in your bed. That means we have joint custody whether you’re aware of it or not,” he said. “And you’re keeping something from me. You’re not telling me the truth, and I’ve just spent weeks with everyone keeping the truth from me. I expected better from you.”

My mouth dropped open as I stared at him. A trickle of guilt crept into me, which I was sure he’d intended. “That is so manipulative.”

“Is it working?”

A short laugh escaped me as my gaze traveled to where my arms were folded over my stomach. I opened my mouth and then closed it. The need to confide in Tink—in anyone—hit me hard. It hadn’t even been a day, and I was bursting to tell someone.

And Tink…if he was still living with me in a few months, would know. It would eventually become noticeable. I couldn’t hide it from everyone. I needed someone who knew. I could confide in Ivy, but she was prone to outbursts, and there was her own messy history with Caden.

Lifting my hands, I scrubbed them down my face, covering my mouth. “If I tell you this, you have to promise me you won’t say anything.”

“I promise,” he agreed quickly.

“I mean it, Tink. You’re going to want to say something, but you can’t repeat this. Not to Fabian or Ivy or even Dixon.”

“What in the hell would Dixon do? He’s a cat.”

“I don’t care.” Lowering my hands, I looked at him. “You can’t repeat this. If you do, I will…” I searched for the worst possible thing that could happen to Tink. “I will find a way to blacklist you from Amazon, and until then, I will throw every single one of your packages in the garbage. I will cancel your orders. I’ll discontinue the internet.”

His eyes widened as he pressed his hand to his chest. “That’s harsh.”

“I know.” I held his gaze. “Do you still want to know?”

Tink tilted his head. “I can keep a secret, Bri. You have no idea how many secrets I already keep. I’m practically the keeper of secrets. You all don’t even know my real name.”

I frowned. “What is your real name?”

He smirked.

“Does Fabian know?”

“Nope.”

“For real?”

“For reals.”

I was kind of surprised that he hadn’t told Fabian. There was power in knowing a fae’s true name. I nibbled on my lip and then it sort of just spilled out of me. Two simple words that were incredibly life-altering. “I’m pregnant.”

Tink blinked slowly. “With a baby?”

“What other thing would I be pregnant with?” I asked.

He gave a little shake of his head, and then a wide, beautiful smile broke out across his face, briefly stunning me. “Does that mean I get to be a godfather? I’ve always wanted to be a godfather. I can babysit. There are so many things I can show this child. I can make his or her toys come to life. Did you know that? I can teach them the wonders of Harry Potter and Twilight. Oh! And Game of Thrones. Well, that will probably have to come later. But think of all—” He came to a grinding halt while I gaped at him.

Tink drew back from me and then stood, lifting his hands. “I’m about to ask a potentially obvious question here. Bear with me while I collect myself.”

“Yes, it’s Caden’s child,” I stated dryly.

“You didn’t bear with me!”

“Tink.”

He clasped his hands together under his chin. “You are having his child?”

I nodded.

“You are carrying a baby inside you right now that has your and his DNA?”

“Yes.”

Tink bent at the waist so we were at eye level with each other. “You are impregnated by him?”

“Yes. Yes, Tink. I’m pregnant. He’s the father. Caden’s the dad,” I told him, exasperated. “The King is the father.”

“Holy shit.”

I snapped my mouth shut.

Tink blinked.

My heart stopped as my belly rolled all the way to the tips of my toes.

Neither of us had said that.

Tink straightened.

I looked over his shoulder.

And I saw not one, not two, but three fae staring at us in utter shock.

Chapter 7

It was the fair-haired Kalen who’d spoken. He looked as shocked as I felt. Standing beside him, Faye looked as if a slight breeze might knock her flat on her back. And of all people to be here, Tanner was with them.

He looked like he was seconds away from vomiting.

The five of us just stared at one another in