"I miss my buddy" — Austen confronts Craig about being an absent friend in Southern Charm's latest preview 

Southern Charm is currently on air with season 9 and drops new episodes weekly on Thursdays on Bravo. The show is set to air its latest episode on January 2, 2025, and will feature a conversation between Austen Kroll and Craig Conover about the shift in their dynamics.

While sitting poolside in Craig's house, Austen tells him it was weird that the latter was not present at Miss Patricia's birthday party. However, Craig points out that he was not invited. He further enquires why he was not on the guest list, and Austen tells him it was a "combination" of things, including Miss Patricia thinking he wasn't in town.

The cast member further tells him that they spoke about his "absence," and Craig says it is "crazy" that his absence was a subject when he wasn't invited to a party.

"I miss my buddy, and that's where I'm coming to you from," Austen tells him.

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"I thought we were good" — Craig responds to Austen's claims about his absence in Southern Charm's upcoming episode

In a preview clip of the upcoming episode of Southern Charm season 9, Austen points out that Craig isn't around much lately. He says he misses him and lists how often the cast member bails on him.

Austen tells the season 9 cast member that while they talk, Craig isn't on his "phone call list" whenever he wants to make plans.

"If I'm going to lunch, you're not on my phone call list. If I'm going to get a beer, you're not on my phone call list. Because your answer is normally, "I'm gardening," Austen adds.

Craig asks when the last time Austen asked him for lunch was, and the latter says he no longer tries because it's "always" the same thing. Craig tells the Southern Charm season 9 star that he isn't a "mind reader" and that it is a "you thing." He suggests they set up a "weekly teatime."

"I thought we were good," he says.

Austen recalls previously telling Craig they should do that on Sundays, and Craig counters that he works on Sundays. Austen further recalls inviting Criag to play golf, and the Southern Charm star accepted the invitation on a Sunday.

"Then you texted me on Saturday night, "I can't play golf with you. I'm just gonna garden," Austen says.

The Southern Charm season 9 star explains that he doesn't want to "waste five hours" playing golf when he has "stuff" to do. Austen says that Craig bailing on golfing to garden and posting it on Instagram is a "move" that he bailed on their "friendship."

"It was work. We have a gardening line coming out. That's what makes me happy now, is working and making money," Craig says.

This will not be the first time Austen expresses frustration towards Craig's absence from his life. In an earlier episode of Southern Charm season 9, he spoke to Shep Rose about their friendships.

Shep asked Austen if Craig ever opened up to him about his relationship with Paige, and Austen revealed it had been a while. At the time, Austen also said that Craig used to be the first person he called for anything but that the latter hardly picked up his calls. He said he missed him, while Shep believed Craig was trying to curate an "image."

Austen said he had seen Craig wear "different hats" throughout their friendship and that the Southern Charm season 9 star was trying to be like Martha Stewart.

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Tune in on January 2, 2025, to watch the upcoming episode of Southern Charm season 9 on Bravo.