“Yeah, it’s a self-imposed one,” Aubrey explained. “But that doesn’t mean that I don’t miss it.”

“I totally get that,” Char said. “With me here and Shane back home, my vibrator gets a major workout in the time between when we get to see each other.”

“Ohmigod, I so know what you mean!” Aubrey agreed.

“She’s not joking,” I said dryly. “I’ve thought about buying stock in LELO with how much Char raves about hers. I’m just surprised that Shane isn’t jealous of how attached she is to her vibrator.”

“Nah. He knows that, as much as I enjoy the hell out of it when he’s not here, it’s still only a substitute for the real thing. And besides, he likes to see how crazy he can make me with it sometimes, too.”

“Jesus, Char. TMI!” I shrieked, looking at Lex and Aubrey, who didn’t really know her well enough to understand that she didn’t have the same boundaries as other people. “Geesh, maybe you could share a little less with the new people?”

“No way,” Lex interjected. “She’s giving me ideas to use for later.”

“Yeah! She can be our sexpert,” Aubrey offered. “For, you know, when I decide to have sex again or something.”

We all busted up laughing as we glanced around to make sure nobody was paying much attention to us with all the sex talk. Luckily, Thursday nights weren’t too busy. Char and I still worked them because there were enough customers to make decent tips, but it usually died down earlier than Friday or Saturdays, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves right now except for a handful of tables, the waiter, and our boss, who was hiding out in back doing God knows what.

“You know, taking a break from the dating scene was a good idea, right?” Lex asked Aubrey.

“I do. It’s just nights like these when I’m feeling a little frisky that it gets hard to stick to my guns.”

“Well, you can always change your mind. Or drink enough to get past the frisky stage and make it to the falling-down-drunk one instead,” Char chimed in.

“I like the sound of the falling-down-drunk option,” Aubrey replied. “Let’s go that route. How about another round of drinks for my bestie and me?”

“I think I’ll pass this time,” Lex said. “Someone has to be ready to hold your hair back if you’re going that route. Plus, I don’t want to rule out the possibility of sex tonight by getting so drunk that I pass out.”

“Damn. I don’t want to drink alone,” Aubrey complained.

“I don’t think that will be a problem,” I said as I watched Jackson walk into the bar with Drake at his side. “For either of you, since your boyfriend just showed up, Lex. And I’m pretty sure we can convince your brother to have a lemon drop shot with you, Aubrey.”

I smiled at Jackson and poured two shots as they approached us, getting a third ready to go in case Drake was interested in having one also. Jackson had a worried look on his face as he watched me the entire time. I gave him a questioning look, trying to figure out what was bothering him. Maybe he hadn’t had fun on his guys’ night and that was why they were here instead of out doing something.

I had the drinks ready when they made it to the bar. “You guys have perfect timing. I’m working hard to get Aubrey trashed and Lex just bailed on the drinking portion of tonight’s entertainment. Which one of you will do a shot with her instead?”

Jackson glanced at Aubrey and shook his head when he realized she was already well on her way to drunk. He flashed a quick grin at Lex and then Char before turning his attention back to me. His grin turned into a full-out smile when I gestured at the shot glasses and nodded my head in his sister’s direction, trying to hint that he should have one with her.

“Sure. I think I can handle a shot with my sis. Not sure she can handle another one though,” he teased her.

“Hey, I’ve got a head start on you is all,” Aubrey answered. “You wouldn’t believe the crazy-ass drinks your girlfriend has been serving me all night. We started out pretty tame with some Sex on the Beach but she made us Leg Spreaders the last time around. You better watch out for her, Jackson. She’s a naughty one.”

“Naughty, huh,” he murmured under his breath, his gaze heating up. I’d bet just about anything that he was thinking about last night.

“Oh, stop eye-fucking her already and take the shot,” Char taunted him. “You guys are bound to melt my panties off if you keep that up, and I’m wearing my favorite pair!”