[He takes it as such, laughing lightly as he shakes his head. Maybe not, but...]
True, I had some plans to go visit some people... but I've seen most o' them recently, an' you I haven't, so none o' them would begrudge me bein' here instead.
[You're more important, now, he doesn't say. What a nice game of "how many things can we not-say" this is.]