Slowly, I turn to face that voice. That goddamn voice. Like a specter, a man with that smooth, deep voice materializes out of the steam, the dust, and the dark.
Strike three for a complete disaster. It’s my ex.
Two
Logan
The day starts out fulfilling and uncomplicated.
The family I just took on our caving adventure tour is muddy, sweaty, but exhilarated. The Clarks, a family of four, with two college-aged girls, are warmer than most, reminding me of my own family. Affectionate and welcoming, with gentle jabs and teasing mixed in. It was a great tour.
It’s hard not to feed off their energy, and I ride the quiet satisfaction that comes after a good tour as I escort them back to Compass Mountain Mining and Cave Tours Visitor Center and Gift Shop to check in their gear.
“He’s cute,” the mother whispers as I lead the way up the hill. “Don’t tell me you minded watching that butt wiggle around in front of you.”
“Mom!” the eldest girl, Zoe, cries.
“What? If I were twenty years younger and not married…”
I check the father’s reaction, but he just rolls his eyes. I quickly look away to keep a straight face.
“This was a great time,” the dad says as he fishes some cash out of his money clip for a tip.
“I appreciate the feedback,” I say. I do my best not to transfer cave mud onto the bills, but it’s a losing battle.
I see them to their car, then shed my mud-coated uniform and wash my hands and face at the back entrance sink.
Seth ambushes me before I can make it to my desk. “Bro, you have to watch this video.” He thrusts his phone into my hands.
A heavily airbrushed girl faces the camera with a silly, embarrassed expression as the words flash: “When you find yourself turned on by…”
I recognize the trend—people admitting to weird or unlikely things they find sexy. Then “19th century mining” floats above her head. The video cuts to me explaining how the mechanics of the mining shaft elevator work. It must be a day I covered for Seth, who typically gives the old copper mining tours.
Seth yanks the phone back and taps on the screen. “Look at these comments. ‘I wouldn’t mind taking a closer look at his shaft,’” he reads. “Oh, my god.” He covers his eyes dramatically.
I’m flattered, intrigued, and faintly horrified. The last thing I want is my “shaft” becoming a running joke online.
“Do you remember the video girl? Did she ask you out?”
“Yeah, I remember her.” She spent the whole tour asking so many breathless questions that I tested the mine’s oxygen levels afterward to ensure they were safe. “You know I don’t date tourists.”
“Your loss.” Seth sucks in his breath sharply through his teeth. “Ooh, man. What are the chances she comes on a dayI’m not working? She should’ve been on one ofmytours. I’d take her out.”
“Don’t you think it’s a little presumptuous to assume she’d be into you too?”
“Are you kidding? I’m the good egg.” He smirks when I shake my head. As identical twins, this is an old, tired joke. Up until Seth grew a thick beard, people used to confuse us.
“I’m going to have Emily share this video on our socials.”
“You’re insane if you think Emily’s going to post a video of a girl talking about how hot her brother is.”
“Are you kidding? This is great for business!” He’s already walking away, his tall, broad form taking up most of the space in the narrow hallway. “Emily, check this out!”
In the meeting room, Emily crosses her arms and taps her foot. She always looks so corporate, with her long blonde hair trailing down the back of her fashionable blazer.
“How can we call ourselves a professional business when Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum always waltz into meetings five minutes late? And where the hell is Ethan?” she complains to Cole, our second-oldest brother, who leans casually against the side of our ancient conference table. I can’t decide if he’s brave or foolhardy. It doesn’t look strong enough to hold up Cole’s heavy form without collapsing.
“Check out this video, Em,” Seth says, holding the phone under her nose.
