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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Boyfriend's female 'friend'.

157 replies

iriswildflower · 09/04/2021 19:43

I've been with my BF for two years now, and I am beginning to get really fed up with his female 'best friend'. I'm starting to feel like a third wheel in my own relationship!

At the start, BF was very open and honest about his friendship with this woman, telling me how they were very close, she was his best friend, in their friendship group she was the one he could really turn to and rely on. She's caused issues in his relationships before me, but he assured me that he'd always put me first and he'd learnt from his mistakes in the past. I was pleased with the fact he'd been transparent and honest about it. I've had relationships with men in the past who've had very close friendships with females and it has never bothered me. However, BF is less than honest about things. The issue all started when he lied about going for dinner with her one time, only for me to find out months later. It just set an unhealthy precedent, and I've never been jealous / controlling in the past, but he is making me feel like I am!

A few examples:

  • He won't mention when he's seen her, only when I directly ask. For example, they will frequently go to the gym together, walk their dogs together, go for lunch/dinner/to a bar... recently he mentioned how much he loves a certain type of cake, so she baked it for him and delivered it to his house. He is never open with any of this, if I ask him how his day is he will never mention it. He only ever tells me if I specifically ask, 'have you seen x recently?'. He doesn't accept that this is lying by omission, he just tells me he doesn't see the point in telling me as I will 'make an issue over nothing'.
  • He deletes their conversations with one another. I have his password so will often use his phone for social media, googling, listening to music and watching films. It became obvious he deletes conversations, as messages from her would pop up whilst we were on his phone, the messages were continuing a conversation, but when he clicked on it, it would be the only message in the chat. When I asked him about this, he admitted he deleted it as he 'doesn't want me to make an issue out of things'.
  • Back in the summer, he had a garden party with all his friends and family. It all got a bit boozy and everyone was a little tipsy. At one point, his mum wrapped her arms around female friend (in front of me and all the other partygoers), and exclaimed 'I love you so much x, you are like a daughter to me!' He has also said that his friends and family have often questioned him on what is really going on in their friendship, whether they are secretly dating etc.

The recent cake situation was the final straw for me, and I told him how unhappy I am with this dynamic. He's now saying he wants to keep the friendship and that I am controlling and he worries I will control other aspects of his life?! I've been in relationships in the past, and never had an issue with them having friends of the opposite sex. They are always open and honest about it. It's got to the point where I want to break up with him because I'm fed up of him lying by omission, not seeing why this might get my back up and feeling like I am in some weird love triangle!

OP posts:
GeidiPrimes · 09/04/2021 20:28

@Aprilshowersandhail

If my bf needed his ego stroked this amount from a friend I would walk away. He is taking you for a mug.
Absolutely. It's very manipulative behaviour.

I was the "friend" in this situation OP! We're no longer friends, but looking back I can see that he enjoyed making his partner feel insecure. Very gaslighty behaviour and he's already primed you up by stating that she's caused discord within his relationships in the past and that he'll continue to prioritise that friendship.

I'd walk away - even if he never saw the friend again. Manipulators really fuck with your head,

KitBiscuit · 09/04/2021 20:30

Whether their relationship is innocent or not, it is absolutely ok to not be ok with it. No one can tell you how to feel about it. And it's not unusual OP, no one likes the "female" friend and vice versa, no atter what they say. You do not have to put up with it if you are uncomfortable. Just tell him. I absolutely believe that there is no friendship between men and women because one always wants more. It's biological.

MumofPsuedoAdult · 09/04/2021 20:32

I've been that friend before and I can assure you that they aren't 'just friends'. He's having an emotional affair with her in plain sight (if not a physical one). This won't end well for you and if I was in your shoes I wouldn't even bother with the arguments - I'd just leave.

ZenNudist · 09/04/2021 20:35

Another one for dump and walk away.

Wouldn't actually do this but wouldn't it be funny to acquire a male "friend" and give your bf a taste of his own medicine!

Notimeforaname · 09/04/2021 20:35

Dump him. Fine to have friends. Not fine to lie and delete every message.

Seriously considering finishing with him. Hes told you already..he wont give up the friendship and it's made problems before. So dont keep yourself in the middle of it.

I've been in a position before where a partner kept lying to me because ''he was afraid I would kick off if I heard the truth'' Hmm yeah ok pal.

You wont ever win there.

Please use your head and get out.

You will always be unreasonable to him.
Leave.

Rewis · 09/04/2021 20:37

At one point, his mum wrapped her arms around female friend (in front of me and all the other partygoers), and exclaimed 'I love you so much x, you are like a daughter to me!' He has also said that his friends and family have often questioned him on what is really going on in their friendship, whether they are secretly dating etc.

My best friend growing up was a boy. I We kind of drifted a part in our teen years but I rememebr going to his 18th birthday. His parents came home and his mom goes "OMG! Rewis, so good to see you. I have missed you so much" and gave me a big hug. The daggers from my friends gf. it is totally possible that they like each other but have not admited to it. But opposite sex friendships are still not the norm so it can just as easily be them nor relly understanding it. But if you are not comfortable, that is ok.

AuntieStella · 09/04/2021 20:38

You don't sound controlling to me. Overly accommodating perhaps?

He's blaming you for his short-comings. That's very unattractive

Theunamedcat · 09/04/2021 20:39

I'm sure you were ok at the start but as he has continued to hide dodge gaslight you about it you will now feel he is hiding something because he is acting guilty! It sounds like he loves having women fight for his attention and rubbing your nose in it walk away with dignity he will claim you were jealous and controlling but who gives a shit

bananaboats · 09/04/2021 20:39

Walk away! No good is going to come of this and I wouldn't never put up with it.

MiddleClassProblem · 09/04/2021 20:40

She’s not the problem. He is.

ItsMeantToBe · 09/04/2021 20:40

Huge red flags!!

sst1234 · 09/04/2021 20:42

His friendship with a female is problem for you, not him evidently. If you are not happy with with it, leave him and move on. You can’t dictate who he can and can’t be friends with.

Ohpulltheotherone · 09/04/2021 20:42

Couldn’t be arsed with this.

The relationship isn’t going the distance because you’ve lost confidence in him and he doesn’t prioritise your feelings.

He should be allowed female friends of course but when you have a genuine discomfort over some of his behaviour then he should be willing to talk it over and make compromises that you are both happy with. He can’t just say “I’m not talking about it because you make such a big deal”. That’s not emotionally mature and it’s not prioritising your relationship.

Personally I’d move on, it’s sad but ultimately do you see this going to distance long term if you’re already miserable just two years in

DenisetheMenace · 09/04/2021 20:43

Oh dear.
I refer the lady to an earlier thread.

lioncitygirl · 09/04/2021 20:44

You don’t trust him at all - dump him.

LadyLolaRuben · 09/04/2021 20:45

I've been in this exact same situation and it lasted 3 years. I walked away, its impossible to manage and never resolves. Get rid OP, you'll never be happy Flowers

toiletbrushholder · 09/04/2021 20:46

They're more than friends, he's being dishonest and manipulative

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 09/04/2021 20:48

He dismissed it mostly, saying that his mum has known her a long time and knows of their close friendship.

So that's alright then. He just dismisses any concerns you raise on the subject by underlining how close their friendship is?

he's also admitted that his friends/family have asked if they are 'just friends' in the past. That his family thought for ages that there was something more going on

Wtf? he is literally suggesting that everyone around him thinks there is more going on. Talk about embellishment and repeating their close relationship at every opportunity.

Even if you started out as accepting of an old friendship, anyone would feel very insecure in this relationship with these constant reminders and mentions.
Sorry you are having to go through this @iriswildflower he sounds like a total game player and very full of himself. Anyone would be fed up with that.
What's going on in his head?

HumunaHey · 09/04/2021 20:51

@MiddleClassProblem

She’s not the problem. He is.
She may be the problem too. I only say this because of the cake example. It's a bit OTT in my opinion. I also know some girls who get off on being the friend and trumping new girlfriends that come along.

Either way, I would just let the two enjoy their so-called platonic relationship and save yourself frim continued upset.

megaann · 09/04/2021 20:53

Dump him.

He deletes convos because you will make an issue? Well if the convos are innocent, they shouldn't be a fucking issue should there?

Is there any reason they aren't together yet? Because I guarantee one day, they will.

Wellpark · 09/04/2021 20:54

They are in a relationship it just hasn't progressed to having sex yet. That you know of. Get rid of him. He's a pisstaker and so is his so called best friend. You deserve a relationship with someone who is available to you and not entangled with another woman.

MiddleClassProblem · 09/04/2021 20:58

@HumunaHey

The cake seems to be the only example of something she’s done and I know people who would do that. Regardless of her intentions, he is deleting messages and being a bit shady in general. No matter her behaviour, he is the one on a relationship with OP and he is making it more of a thing by concealing things. Things are a hell of a lot different in a relationship where you feel secure and everyone is honest, no matter what anyone else does.

The mum saying about her being like a daughter is no biggie to me either though.

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 09/04/2021 20:59

He is being so unreasonable. I cant believe he doesnt see that he has caused this. If a certain situation has caused break ups with past girlfriends, how can he not see that it's the situation that isnt right, not he strung of girlfriends that have all had the same issue.

It was wrong of him to assume youd have an issue with it and start being secretive and lying before youd gone mad. I could understand it if you were kicking off at him having a female friend but he was reacting like you were doing this before giving you a chance to be ok with it.

It's a self fulfilling prophecy, he has been acting so suspicious that it's made you suspicious.

And every single relationship is going to go the same way for him if he doesnt change. There isnt a person alive that would be ok with their partner deleting messages from an opposite sex person, without getting worried what was in those messages. If they were mundane messages, why would leaving them cause you any issue at all compared to knowing he deletes them?

This is 100% of his making and it's clearly a pattern for him and if he isnt going to have a sensible conversation about his part in it then you dont really have a choice but to accept it or split up. Either that or decide to try and become her best friend so you get invited to meet ups etc and try and see if you can work out the dynamic

Bluetrews25 · 09/04/2021 21:02

People who have nothing to hide, don't hide things.

SunIsComing · 09/04/2021 21:07

Leave him.