ruffling each other's feathers

 "There are some things, we are not talking about," Alfie did mention to Steve when he had some time with him alone during their little dinner party that Zoey wanted to cook for. She had Victoria in the kitchen helping her mash potatoes for the roast beef in the crockpot.

"Like what?" Steve was oblivious to what it might be.

"No drinking. She can't drink. I can't drink." Alfie gritted a smile.

"Good." Steve looked at him as if finally Alfie was learning. His hands were shoved in his chinos and he looked too damn mature for his age. Of course, it wasn't until now Alfie realized just how short he was next to him. 

"Besides that, everything is fine."

"Oh is it?" Steve tilted his head.

"Yeah, things are going well with my brother and..and I hear Poppy is getting married." Alfie knew what Steve was expecting to hear. NOT, how many times a day did he have sex with Zoey. This was the old Alfie, but he knew Steve would be furious with him if he said that. (Actually it was twice, at least.)

Steve nodded. "So..so you got anything to say?" Alfie wondered what had happened to Steve. It felt all so monotone. Why couldn't they laugh like they used to?

"I got a new grill," he then said.

"What?" Alfie was imagining him saying, 'I got a new girl'. Alfie cleared his throat. "Well, did you have to put it together?" He wondered if he needed help.

"I know how to put things together," Steve told him.

"Well, of course, you do," Alfie nodded. Steve was already a dad. Way ahead of the game. "And..and the library..how's the library?"

"We need a new one," He fumed. He didn't think it would happen. He was going to have to be inventive and try to write for all these grants. 

"Sounds like you've got your work cut out for you, but I know you can do it. You're smart. You'll know what to write." Alfie nodded with a quick smile. Steve looked at him as if Alfie had no idea what he was going through and didn't want to know, either.

"I don't know..if..if we'll be seeing them again," Alfie sounded quite miserable when they got comfortable on the couch after Steve and Victoria left. Naturally, he put his head in her lap and she lifted her fingers through his mop of dark hair. 

"Why would you say that?" Zoey asked.

"We. Steve and I have nothing to talk about, anymore," he sounded rather low about it. As if their bromance had come to an end.

"It can't be that bad. I talked to Victoria for a good long while. Sounds like you guys have been best buds forever," Zoey assured him it couldn't be over.

"Well, we have been through some stuff. I just guess he had to put up a lot with me, that I didn't know, until now. Obviously, I am not the friend I thought I was." Alfie shrugged.

"He still wants to know you," Zoey promised.

Alfie sighed and sat back up, but it wasn't long until his head was on her shoulder.

"I used to blame my mom for everything," he told her. "Now, I wonder if I'm just like her. I have too many of her bad qualities. Of course, I don't even know any of my Dad's bad qualities, but I'm sure I have those too."

"Quit being so pessimistic," Zoey looked at him out of the corner of her eye. He reached for her face then and pulled in a kiss.

It was true. He wasn't boring. Maybe it was best not to talk about the past but let the present pre-sent its self.