The twins, Elie and Raphael were in a meeting, a meeting that Howie didn't dare to attend. The annual festival is certainly approaching very quickly, but it's not that close for the reunion to be a priority, that's what he told himself. Not to mention the fact that he wants at all costs to leave some space for the boys so that they have more time with the girls they are dating now.
Despite the promise he made to Aike, he still distanced himself from them considerably since Tess took her place in their small group. He feels like she's spying on them for her brother, so he gives the boys time to spend more time with her and Kaeli.
What he finds very good, the fact that they see people other than him every day is a good thing, then the rumors have diminished, and he hardly hears about him and his amorous affairs with boys for profit.