Page 24 of Cultivating Caden

“One more game,”Quade demanded. “I finally figured it out now.”

Caden held back a chuckle. They’d been playing for three hours, and every time Quade lost, he insisted on just one more game. Of course, Ten’s delight was obvious. He kept Quade plied with soda and snacks, tips on how to control the cars, and more. Quade hadn’t even answered his phone, despite the fact that the calls were coming from the infirmary.

“Quade? Your phone is ringing again.”

Ten scowled at Caden, his eyes narrowed into slits. “Just play the damn game.”

His expression threw Caden. He seemed way too angry. “Excuse me?”

Ten was immediately contrite. “I mean, let’s play the game.”

Quade put the controller on the table, stood, and glared down at Ten. “You’re good, kid, I’ll give you that. C’mon. You made a promise, now let’s go.”

Heaving a much-aggrieved sigh, Ten stood. “Fine. They’re just going to say I’m in good health.”

“Then they can tell me that.” He looked at Caden. “You okay cleaning up?”

“Yeah. Will you let me know what the doctors say?”

Quade gave a slight smile. “Sure.”

As they reached the door, Caden decided he might as well ask what was on his mind. “Does anyone around here sell pizza?”

“Yes!”

Ten’s enthusiasm surprised Caden.

“Dial 0071 on your phone. Brooker’s Pizza has vegan options.”

“You have a pizza parlor here?” That sounded so weird. “Wait. How do you even havephonesdown here?

“I told you, this is like a city.” Quade’s voice was rough. “We’ve got pretty much anything you’d ever want to find. Tomorrow I’ll take you out exploring… if you want, that is.”

Caden’s cheeks warmed. He recalled that Quade had promised to tell him more of Sanctuary’s history, but to get out and see the place? That sounded great. “Sure, I’d like that.”

“Awesome!” Ten bounced on his heels. “We can come in the morning and make a day of it.”

Quade frowned at Ten. “We?”

“Well, yeah. I mean, you need me along, right?” He grinned. “Comic relief and all. Besides, what do you know about vegan food?”

“That we have a few goat shifters who eat grass.”

“Goat shifters? Really?”

Ten laughed. “They’re fauns, not goats.”

“So wait, fauns are real?”

“Oh, Caden, so many things you never expected are real. Wait until you meet the minotaur.”

Caden’s jaw dropped open. “Minotaur?”

This time it was Quade who barked a laugh. “It’s easy to… uh… get his goat.”

“Oh, that was baaaaaad.”

Caden stood in silence as the two bantered back and forth, each goat pun progressively more groan-worthy than the last.