Bad Habit

twelve

From Phineas:
How are things on the Jane front? 

To Phineas:
Could be better. She had no qualms about reading my text and ignoring it. 

From Phineas:
How dare she not have qualms?

Moss laughed to himself and slid his phone down on the kitchen counter. He carefully picked up the coffee mug in front of him and took a slow sip, all while feeling his mother's gaze upon him. "How long have you and Phineas been friends?" She asked suddenly, as if she had been working up the courage to ask that all morning. Moss shrugged. 

"Not long," he said. "A week, maybe two." Ilana nodded skeptically. 

"Interesting," she said slowly, "I've never known you to open up to someone new so quickly. It took you forever to have Noah over just to hang out." Moss shrugged once more. 

"Phineas is different," he said thoughtfully, "he's easy to be around."

"I like him a lot," Ilana smiled as she sat down next to Moss at the island. "He's a charmer. I'm still not sure if he was trying to flirt with me or just be nice." Moss practically choked on his coffee. 

"Flirt with you?" He cried. "Mom, are you kidding?"

Ilana was cracking up, throwing her head back in pure laughter and letting her long hair drape over the back of the chair. "Relax, Teddy," she cooed, caressing his cheek, "I'm kidding. He is a very nice kid, I'd love to see more of him around here." Moss sighed, relieved, though he wasn't completely sure she was kidding. It was so like Finny to do something as bold as flirt with Moss' married mother. 

"Who knows," Moss laughed, "maybe you will." Ilana hummed at Moss' words and retreated from the kitchen to likely her bedroom where she'd get dressed for the day.

Moss contemplated his own options for what to do that Saturday, but ultimately knew he'd end up on the couch, seeing as he was skipping practice. His mom allowed it and promised to keep it a secret from his dad who was in Ohio on business, consulting with a prestigious client. Moss was thankful for the day off, and after his outburst, it came as a surprise to no one that he skipped. 

From Phineas:
Are you ignoring me, Mosser?

To Phineas:
Can I not go five minutes without texting you back? Are you one of those people that needs constant validation?

From Phineas:
Unfortunately, yes. Please tell me you love me. 

To Phineas:
What good would that do you if I don't mean it?

Moss wondered if that was harsh and immediately regretted sending it. Though, was it harsh? The boys hadn't known each other long, and half the time they did, Moss spent it hating Finny. Did Finny really expect Moss to love him? Did he expect him to response with I love you?

From Phineas:
:(

Moss felt his stomach drop as he sat up on the couch. He raked his brain thinking of a possible response that would inform Finny he felt bad, but not push it so far as making it seem like he was worried about Finny feeling hurt. He couldn't tell him he loved him, the simple reason being that he didn't love him. How could he? He liked him, he liked him a lot, but definitely not love. Who was Finny to ask such a big thing of Moss? Did Finny love Moss? Is that what he was alluding too? Did Finny want Moss to say he loved him so that it would make Finny feel better about loving Moss?

From Phineas:
Kidding dude. Anyways, you know of any cute guys from your skeevy website?

Moss let out a sigh of relief and literally hit himself in the face for ruminating so goddamn much about every little thing. But he was now onto the next.