they don't know what I know

 "What's happened this time?" Henry wanted to know. Oh, he knew Gage had spoke with Josie and well, it was summer and practically school time. Their kids were at the same school. So here Alec and Gage were over for the cookout.

Henry was in his shorts and wearing an apron. He was holding an orange juice seltzer which he offered to Gage. Really, Gage couldn't remember the last time he was over at his cousin's house. Maybe it was when he was with Haile and Alec was a toddler. 

Gage only smiled at Henry and promised he was staying out of trouble.

"Well, you're just as boring as me then," Henry said as he did his best to get out of a kiddos path, but of course, he was part of the game evidently. Finally, they moved out to the deck and Gage opened the can out in the sun. It was a good thing. It spewed everywhere.

Gage asked about Henry's parents. Henry asked about his. Before he knew it, they were all caught up. Except, "What is Halie doing these days?" Henry asked.

"Last I heard she was getting married." It hurt a little when he said it. He could sense it even from the corner of his eye. That life with her was over even if he and Alec were the remains. 

"Oh, you know you two were never completely happy," Henry smiled. Gage nodded although, he felt he'd let Alec down. After all, his mom had gone back to England to live with her college friends.

"I just don't know anything anymore," Gage finally took a sip of the no-calorie drink. "As if I ever knew anything in the first place." Honestly, relationships were never easy especially after being with someone as dramatic as Halie.

"Well, it's going to be fine, sooner or later," Henry flipped a burger then and carefully watched the bratwurst. 

"I guess I should have stayed out there with Carson and his family," Gage said his brother really liked Grand Island.

"But your mother needs Alec around. And Alec needs her too," Henry told him. Finally, he asked, "What is it you're not telling me?"

Gage wanted to crack a smile, but he didn't know an easy way to say it. "Oh..well..there is someone, but I don't think it'll work out."

"What do you mean?"

"I'd rather not get my hopes up. Certainly not Alec's." He shook his head, no. 

Henry looked at him with an open smile. He handed him a plate of well-done brats. He told him they needed to cool. The kids wouldn't touch them otherwise.

"She..she wants to meet Alec," he then said.

"Who?" Henry wanted to know.

"Someone I have lunch with," Gage said. Although, he felt he was gasping for air. No way would something like this work. "It's like..like she wants us all to go on a date or something."

"What's wrong with that?" Henry asked as he headed to the kitchen with the hamburger patties and Gage followed.

"It doesn't seem weird to you?" Gage winced. Even his mother thought it was sweet. Still, he wondered if Alfie would be all she would talk about. It was like he was her firstborn.