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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Is he on the rebound with me?

24 replies

something2say · 08/06/2012 18:37

Hi,

I've been seeing a new man for 3 months. It just fell into place and there have been no issues. We go out a lot, spend most nights together and generally get on really well.

BUT he is a musician and there was this gig and we were meant to be going together. He and his ex are part of the same crew of musicians and when we found out she was going to the gig too, he wouldn't come. He said she would be there, probably with her sister and probably also with her parents who he got on very well with. I could go completely undercover and stand by myself and watch the gig, but he would see his friends there and be with them, and she would be part of that group. He said he wasn't ready for that.

I was a bit upset but put it behind me.

Now there are 2 gigs he is playing next week. I decided to go to the Thursday one. He then texted me to say could I go the Wednesday one and when I asked was that because she was going to the Thursday one, he said yes.

He says he just isn't ready to have us both in the same room especially when he is under pressure performing. He says he has thought about what this is about and it is because he wants to salvage parts of the relationship, like his relationship with her parents. She cheated on him and that's why they broke up.

The night of the first gig, he was showing me a youtube of her saying her hair was different, it wasn't really 'her', why was she faking this stupid youtube in the first place etc. I was saying well I think her hair looks great and she is probably just spreading her wings. She is a lot younger than he is and I am 37 and I can't help asking if it is my age?

Generally we get on great but this has happened twice now and it has put a thorn in my side where previously there was none. I don't know what to make of it. Do you think I should be worried? I woke up this morning and said to him that I felt I needed to distance myself because he is factoring another woman in and I have no-one else to worry about.

OP posts:
Losingitall · 08/06/2012 18:44

Hmmmm alarm bells would be tinkling for me.

However I would be more worried if he wanted to "parade" you in front of her iyswim?

How ling were they apart before you got together?

TheCraicDealer · 08/06/2012 18:44

My first instinct is to question why he doesn't want you to meet her. Does she even know he's dating someone else? Surely mutual friends have told her! Ok, so he's not "ready" to do introductions, but he is "ready" to forgive her enough to see her socially and mix with her in a larger group. Something doesn't add up.

something2say · 08/06/2012 18:49

Losingitall, they were apart from May ish last year, he said July really later on.

I think, because she cheated on him, she won't care if he has met someone new. My concern is that HE cares that she knows. Why is this?

I think he said this morning that she probably already does know as I have gone out and chatted with the musos in his friend group as I know them off my own back too.

One thing as well, he said he texted her and she didn't text back and then said she hadn't got the text, but then he raised his eyebrow at me when telling me that he had texted something else and she had got straight back to him. I felt he was saying she had ignored the first texts as she hadn't wanted to get back to him, bit when she did want something she did get back to him.

He obviously cares about this....

OP posts:
21YrOldMan · 08/06/2012 18:51

I can understand the not wanting to be in the same social group as her. But that should be the case if he's with or without you. So that first gig I can complete understand and sympathise with. But there should no problem with you going to the thursday gig, as if he doesn't like socialising with her then he won't be socialising with her, so you being there won't be a problem IYSWIM.

It sounds like he's still a bit too attached to her.

MissFaversham · 08/06/2012 18:52

Yep OP, his actions are telling you loud and clear that he isn't anywhere near over her, sorry Sad

She cheated on him therefore very unfinished business on his part. Him "hiding" you from her? really... blimey!

something2say · 08/06/2012 18:53

He's been to see her the odd time. He is trying to go straight to friends.

This is a real bolt out of the blue. Well I say that - its about the 3rd time I have got upset about it.

OP posts:
Losingitall · 08/06/2012 18:57

Does he understand why you are upset and how you are reading the situation?
It's possible to be friends with an ex rare but possible but he's trying to hard to soon when he should be investing that time and effort with you!

X

MissFaversham · 08/06/2012 19:00

My advice is throw him back in the pond for now and move on. He is now way near over her. Don't do it to yourself. The beginning of a relationship should have none of this crap in it.

MissFaversham · 08/06/2012 19:00

"no way" of course, oops.

something2say · 08/06/2012 19:00

He doesn't really understand, no. When I got back from the first gig, having had 2 pints, I caught the tube with a friend of hers who didn't know me and him were together and said that he was absolutely devastated by their breakup. I listened to that all the way home and then I was upset and he was so kind. He said he had been thinking about what it is that he wants to retain and it is his relationship with her parents.

I am supposed to be going to stay tomorrow night after going out with friends all day (he is rehearsing), then there is the gig on Weds and then a gig in the Midlands on Sat. We would usually spend every night together as well.

What do I do now? Tell him its over as I think he is on the rebound?

OP posts:
MissFaversham · 08/06/2012 19:11

OP, yes tell him that if you wish (he will deny it). He is nowhere near over jer this yet. No-ones fault but get yourself out of the firing line and look after your own heart ay.

MissFaversham · 08/06/2012 19:12

jer? her

ImperialBlether · 08/06/2012 20:13

When someone has been cheating on you it hurts so much. You do everything you can to normalise how you feel. So, he wants to stay friends with her parents. He wants to be able to see her now and again without the pain, but it just can't happen. It's as though he hasn't allowed himself to really hate dislike her for what she did to him.

You could say to him, "You are a lovely man and she treated you really badly. Stay in touch with her family if you want, but for god's sake don't let her stop me from being by your side when we're out together. Can't you see it gives her a feeling of power, thinking you haven't got over her?"

MissFaversham · 08/06/2012 20:28

You could say what Imperial has told you but I don't think it will help you in this (sorry Imperial as you are a huge sage). I can see the car crash where the OP's heart is involved.

MissFaversham · 08/06/2012 20:29

She KNOWS he is on a rebound, don't you OP

something2say · 08/06/2012 20:32

Thanks IB.

When I spoke to him about it last night, I said 'So what, you'd be seeing her one side of the room, and me the other, and coming offstage and walking to me, and you don't want to do that in front of her.' and he said 'No.'

I answered his call about an hour ago and told him that I was hurt and wasn't sure if there was a future for us both and that I needed time to think about that. He said he is not on the rebound, I am not second best and I am wrong about this. I said I didn't really want to talk about him and her anymore. He then didn't say bye when I said bye.

Now I am probably going to get drunk chill out. Very gutted and shocked.

OP posts:
something2say · 08/06/2012 20:33

He said it would just all be too awkward and could I go on the first night and support him??

OP posts:
MissFaversham · 08/06/2012 20:40

Good for you OP, you can't mend his heart, he has to do that for himself. You may be gutted but I applaud your sense of self here.

Well done sweetheart Wine

something2say · 08/06/2012 20:44

Thanks MissF, I read mumsnet and try to learn from what I read. This is completely out of the blue tho. We have such a normal time otherwise. He really doesn't see this as an issue but I feel second best. I hate feeling second best. I am very sensitive to it. I have been loved in the past by men and they put me first and I know what that is like and it doesn't involve being asked not to come out. :(

OP posts:
MissFaversham · 08/06/2012 20:47

Yet again OP what you have just said is so true. He will deny deny deny but you know better.

ImperialBlether · 08/06/2012 20:51

MissFaversham I know I need to lose weight but I'm not huge!!!

ImperialBlether · 08/06/2012 20:52

OP, you say, "When I spoke to him about it last night, I said 'So what, you'd be seeing her one side of the room, and me the other, and coming offstage and walking to me, and you don't want to do that in front of her.' and he said 'No.'"

Sorry, but he hasn't got over her. If he had, or really wanted to, he would do it even if it was difficult.

AThingInYourLife · 08/06/2012 20:58

"I have been loved in the past by men and they put me first and I know what that is like and it doesn't involve being asked not to come out."

No, it doesn't. :(

MissFaversham · 08/06/2012 21:59
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