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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

Friend getting cosy with my ex…AIBU?

220 replies

AmonRa1 · 09/02/2015 09:50

I was seeing my ex, casually, on and off since 2009. It ended for good last year when I finally woke up, got some self-respect and ditched him. I did love him though, a lot, would’ve done anything for him and I think a small part of me will always have a soft spot for him but he treated me appallingly and meeting my now OH has totally shown me what a real, loving relationship SHOULD be like.

Anyway, when I first got with my OH, ex couldn’t stand it and was literally bombarding me with texts/phone calls/whatsapps etc begging me to give him another chance, he realised he’d been an idiot, I was the girl he wanted to marry, blah, blah, blah. I stopped responding and so he started messaging one of my close friends asking her to speak to me, to tell me he’s sorry, get me to ‘see sense’ (arrogant so and so) blah, blah.

Ex and I do share some of the same friends, although, tbh, to me, they are more like acquaintances. The past couple of months, my friends and I have been out on a Saturday night and have bumped into him due to him and us all being with the same people, in the same pubs/ bars etc. He and I have been fine, we have a drink and a chat but that’s it.

ANYWAY, my close friend that he started messaging that time, asking her to speak to me on his behalf, told me the other week that he had messaged her on FB after she had ‘checked in’ at his local pub on FB asking why she didn’t tell him she was there as he would’ve gone down and had a drink with her?! She said it very blaze, like that was a completely normal thing for him to do. I wanted to ask why he was messaging her and did she message him back but just kept schtum.

He has told me before in passing that he thinks she’s ‘fit’ (she is) and he is stupidly handsome and the majority of females aren’t exactly immune to his charm!

A few weeks ago she ‘checked in’ again at his local pub on FB (which is a bit weird as it’s nowhere near where she lives but she has recently palled up with a girl who lives near him and that is her local too, so fair enough) and when I saw it, I wondered whether he’d be messaging her again or whether the ‘check in’ was for his benefit as she very rarely uses FB/ does check in’s etc so it’s a bit odd. She’s also started to get a bit obsessed with hanging around with the same people as him, so those acquaintances that I mentioned in my 3rd paragraph, if we are out she is constantly saying ‘Let’s text so and so and see what they’re doing and where they are.’ Or she’ll text me before the weekend saying ‘So and so are going to be at the rugby club on Sat, shall we go and watch the match and go out with them after?’ I’m really not bothered to be honest as the majority of them irritate me and she has never been bothered about them or ever wanted to give them the time of day before?

ANYWAY, I haven’t seen her for a couple of weeks as I’ve been on holiday and work has been manic. She came over last night and in the middle of a conversation, casually managed to drop in how ‘A couple of weeks ago her and XXX (her friend) were down his local again and my ex came down to meet them and they all got really drunk and he invited them both back to his to stay the night, which they did…..in the spare room.’

At the time, I felt like she’d slapped me but I acted nonchalant and didn’t say anything, however when she left, I felt really upset. My OH noticed and asked what was up and so I told him and his first words were ‘Well that’s a bit off to be honest as she doesn’t even know him, only through you and even that’s not very well and why do you need to know that she’s getting drunk with him and staying around his house?’

And that’s exactly how I feel. I KNOW I am with someone else, him and I are history so it shouldn’t matter but this man was my utter world for a very long time. She is one of my best friends and in general, is a BRILLIANT friend. I just can’t help but think something is going on somewhere. They don’t know each other from Adam, apart from through me and I only really introduced them to each other in the last few months of him and I’s relationship, so that is only about a year ago. In that time they’ve probably met a handful of times when we’ve bumped into him out and about. She ‘dislikes’ him (like the rest of my friends) for how he treated me whilst we were together etc. Although obviously not, because she’s now getting drunk with him and staying over at his house.

He doesn’t do female ‘friends’ he only gives someone the time of day if he finds them attractive (shallow git) so I know his intentions would not have been honourable. I just don’t get how she thought I was going to react, am I expected to be doing cartwheels that one of my best friends is now spending time with my ex and staying over at his house? If they were friends before then that would be different, but they don’t know each other at all?

I feel like I need to speak to her about it and say that if anything were to happen there, I’m sorry, but I could not forgive her. Out of all the men in the world that is the ONE man that I couldn’t forgive one of my friends for going behind my back with and I shouldn’t even have to say that as she should know. Also, I have spoken to her every day in the past 2 weeks and not once has she mentioned that she stayed over at his. I have also spoken to him too a few times as his dog (who was my world when we were together) had a fit, fell down the stairs and ended up at the vets very ill. He was devastated and just wanted to talk to someone I think and I am the only other person who loves her like he does. Not once did he mention it either yet if I had stayed around her exes’ house or had his best friend randomly stay over at mine, I think I’d have mentioned it!

Irrespective of anything else, he is bad news. She is younger than me and without meaning to be patronising, quite naïve when it comes to relationships and men. She would get SO hurt, just like I did, just like all his ex’s have, hence why he’s 36 and on his own!

Should I speak to her do you think?

OP posts:
grocklebox · 10/02/2015 10:21

I don't think anyone cares if you believe them. Your opinion doesn't make it any less true.

littlejessie · 10/02/2015 10:25

Couldn't agree more with Twinklestein!

confused79 · 10/02/2015 10:26

Right, I can see where you're coming from, ex's and friends shouldn't mix. I had a similar situation where a friends ex was messaging me after their split. Thought he was fit and had a good sense of humour but didn't even contemplate it.

However, it sounds like you're jealous? If you'd truly moved on you'd feel nothing but indifference surely, and maybe a bit peeved that she's gone there, but, then you'd move on. Well I would, anyway.

SaucyJack · 10/02/2015 10:31

I did know the woman my ex got together with after me- although she wasn't a friend.

I honestly could not mind less what he does or who he sees- in fact I'd go as far as to say I'm happy that they're happy, and that our DDs like his new (ish) squeeze. Whatever was once there is long gone between us.

getthefeckouttahere · 10/02/2015 10:34

Yup you have got it Twinklestein,

there are a whole slew of people on here who are prepared to lie about how they feel just to make an unknown poster feel bad. Hmm

Alternatively they have posted their genuine views and what you actually are having trouble believing is that they don't agree with you.

shovetheholly · 10/02/2015 10:36

I am best friends with my DH's ex. She was genuinely very cool with the start of our relationship. Smile

Not everyone is the same. I don't think posters on here are lying about how they feel - there are simply a range of opinions on the matter.

DistanceCall · 10/02/2015 10:37

I don't think anyone is denying that it would feel odd, and possibly upset, if your best friend got together with your ex.

But the thing is, that's your problem. Both the friend and the ex are free, and are doing nothing wrong. It's up to the OP to assume the situation and get over it - and if she feels she can no longer see her friend, that's fine.

But this "girl code" about exes being off limits, as if it was an unwritten law of the universe, and the ensuing drama, are simply ridiculous.

rollonthesummer · 10/02/2015 10:44

There is no point in me going over it all anymore. You all think I'm in the wrong, I don't. My mind won't change on that.

Why post then?

Twinklestein · 10/02/2015 10:46

I am best friends with my DH's ex. She was genuinely very cool with the start of our relationship.

So your DH cheated on her and broke her heart and within a year he'd moved onto you and she was completely fine with it?

I'll take a wild guess that the scenario was completely different.

rollonthesummer · 10/02/2015 10:47

Both the friend and the ex are free, and are doing nothing wrong

I think this is the crux of it. They are free and single and can have sex every night for the rest of their lives if they want to-whether you like it or not. Clearly you don't.

Twinklestein · 10/02/2015 10:53

It all depends on the circumstance.

If the OP had been happy with this guy, got bored of him, ended the relationship and moved onto someone who she preferred, who's to say she would have had any issue with her friend getting involved with him. She may be completely fine with it.

It's the circumstances of this particular relationship and the fact that it ended quite recently. It takes a while to resolve hurt and betrayal.

Five years hence the OP might not give a bugger.

DistanceCall · 10/02/2015 10:54

If the OP had written saying something like "My friend is getting cozy with my ex, I'm very upset about it, and I don't know how to get over it", I think she would have got a very different response.

But basically she comes across as saying "OMG my BFF is being a total bitch and hooking up with my ex who was my world how dare she".

WannaBe · 10/02/2015 11:00

but let's face it the op has altered her feelings towards the ex as this thread has developed. In the beginning she will always have a soft spot for him, gave him emotional support over the dog, stops and has a chat and drink with him and tried to set him up with a friend of a friend.

As people have challenged the possibility that she isn't actually over him yet the previous explanations have altered to giving him the time of day if they pass, saying the friend should believe the rumours about him but if she wanted to go out with him it was her call, and calling him a lying cheating arse who she is well rid of. I wonder which of those statements is actually acurate? Hmm

I wouldn't particularly like it if my ex got together with a friend, but there is a difference between not liking it and thinking of it as some kind of betrayal. no-one has ownership of anyone else,and free, single adults are free to do as they wish without being given ultimatums if they do so.

Op said that this ex treated all his girlfriends badly, but that didn't stop her getting involved with him did it?

Dawnywoo · 10/02/2015 11:01

I'm sorry but just the length of your post makes you sound over invested.

Please just let go. It really is that simple.

Letseatgrandma · 10/02/2015 11:04

but let's face it the op has altered her feelings towards the ex as this thread has developed.

Yes-that's what's so strange. First, it was cosy chats over the dog and now it's 'me and my mates shooting evils at him in the pub'.

I suspect OP loved the attention her ex was paying her and enjoyed him saying 'I was the girl he wanted to marry' and is now pissed off that he fancies someone else! Even though she is allowed to have someone else....

Twinklestein · 10/02/2015 11:04

DistanceCall That's how she came across to you. That's your own particular interpretation, and it's not actually supported by the text.

No doubt it's true that if the OP had been written in a different way some posters would have found it easier to understand.

DistanceCall · 10/02/2015 11:07

"DistanceCall That's how she came across to you. That's your own particular interpretation, and it's not actually supported by the text."

I feel like I need to speak to her about it and say that if anything were to happen there, I’m sorry, but I could not forgive her. Out of all the men in the world that is the ONE man that I couldn’t forgive one of my friends for going behind my back with and I shouldn’t even have to say that as she should know. Also, I have spoken to her every day in the past 2 weeks and not once has she mentioned that she stayed over at his.

shovetheholly · 10/02/2015 11:08
Grin
Ouchbloodyouch · 10/02/2015 11:09

Some really bitchy and patronising comments on here. Nice.
I had a little think about this. I posted up thread about how there is no way I would be cool with my best friend dating my ex. Id be furious but I would probably be told if I posted on here that it was none of my business yada yada yada
However during my younger naughtier days I saw a guy. Liked him a lot. Split up. 6 months later he was shagging my best friend. We spoke about it and I genuinely didn't mind. A year later he was onto another friend of both of us. She didn't mind (my best friend had split up with him by then) he was a bit of a boy! Grin
We often talk about this peculiar staggered menage a trois!
So for everyone say that it doesn't matter its none of her business and then to bitch about her age I think these views are blinkered and all encompassing. It really does depend on the relationship rather than a 'girl code'.
The OP is perfectly valid to feel upset and fine if you don't agree with it but do you have to be so vicious and spiteful in the delivery of your opposing view?
Drama Queen.
How old are you ?
Not just content with saying you don't agree but being downright rude.

shovetheholly · 10/02/2015 11:09

Ooops, posted too soon! Just wanted to say that was the message I got too.

pictish · 10/02/2015 11:11

Tbh I interpreted it the same way as distance.

Twinklestein · 10/02/2015 11:14

Quite. So find 'OMG', 'BFF', 'total bitch', 'hooking up', 'my world', 'how dare she' in that passage.

DixieNormas · 10/02/2015 11:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DistanceCall · 10/02/2015 11:20

Twinklestein, I read her tone as, well, frankly adolescent. "I’m sorry, but I could not forgive her", "Out of all the men in the world that is the ONE man that I couldn’t forgive one of my friends for going behind my back with", "I shouldn’t even have to say that as she should know".

I have exaggerated the tone somewhat, yes. But I think the gist is more or less the same.

pictish · 10/02/2015 11:20

She was summarising the overall gist...or paraphrasing if you like, but you already know that.