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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

Very complicated Situation - FWB/ Friend/ Ex - Need advice please!

215 replies

sheryl77 · 22/05/2019 14:43

I’ve been ‘seeing’ a guy since last August who was my ex 17 years ago (we were together for four years). We meet every few weeks for sex (he’s in between two countries) and both agreed it would be fun, no commitment (I’m just in the process of getting divorced and he’s been recently hurt).

When we are together, its amazing..great sex, we talk, he confides, he spends the night (he asks to stay), we are literally on the floor laughing when we are together. When we are not having sex, he’s always initiating cuddles in bed at night and in the morning randomly holding my head up to kiss me like a boyfriend (albeit, he’s not). He’s asked me out for brunch the last time we meet and I declined as wasn’t ready to ‘step outside’ with him.

As it’s casual, I am guessing he is seeing other people (I am not as have no time and not one to shag multiple men). Anyway, he uses a condom on and off…I ask him everytime and I know it takes two, but last time he didn’t use one at all despite me asking… (Yes, I know I should respect my body and I should of insisted!).

I sent him a text a week after we met saying I think he’s seeing other woman and to please respect me by wearing a condom. Also be good to know if he has a girlfriend as I don’t want problems! He texted back saying ‘Can’t be acting like your boyfriend, I’m not! (with the nickname he calls me). I responded asking him if he thinks I think of him as a boyfriend (!?) and that I just asked him to practise safe sex that’s all and this feels like its becoming complicated and if this was not fun anymore, we’d better say goodbye….He hasn’t responded in 3 days…

He’s done this awful ‘silent treatment’ before and we end up meeting again…we kind of go through stages where we feel we shouldn’t see each other anymore (I think its because we both freak out we’re getting close or maybe I’m reading too much into things?).

He’s very complicated and I know from being with him previously, when he fears being hurt, he shuts down.

I’m giving him space and won’t contact him again, but can anyone fathom why he’s acted like this? Perhaps he didn’t want to be honest and say he had so deflecting it back on me? I started seeing him when I was having a marriage breakdown and I was always honest with him but if seems he can’t give me the same respect!!

I think I know the answer but I think I need to let this guy go? I don’t need any pain, but the sex is amazing and I do like him as a person (but defo not for long term). I know he likes me as a person, so I don’t know why he acts like this. He told me before he shuts down as its like a self defence thing.

What do you think? Please be gentle as don’t think I can take harsh words on this.

Anyone have similar experiences? Is this a fuck buddy/ friends with benefits or just too bloody complicated?

Thank you x

OP posts:
sheryl77 · 22/05/2019 21:16

I’m not going back for more....im thankful I posted and getting your feedback as it making me think more clearly.

OP posts:
Nancydrawn · 22/05/2019 21:17

Don't invite him over and not be there--just don't engage.

Telling you that he's really selfish doesn't make him open and honest, it makes him a shithead. He then gets to behave however he wants and gives you no room to expect decency.

Next time someone says "I'm really selfish," you should say, "I'm really sorry to hear that" and walk away.

And do get yourself an STI check. Sounds like he has lots of unsafe sex.

sheryl77 · 22/05/2019 21:17

I know I must sound really stupid and have no respect for myself. I’ve just been through a very rough time the last year with my husband (soon to be ex) and I’m trying to find myself again. My confidence is at an all time low.

OP posts:
C0untDucku1a · 22/05/2019 21:20

He is a shit.
Did he ever send you a birthday card?
Sending a text telling him to not contact you when he isnt contactinf you tells him you are desperate for him to contact you. It doesnt give you any control. You have no control here. It is over.

Block him.

sheryl77 · 22/05/2019 21:20

Thank you for your comment nancydrawn.

I’m actually feeling a bit sick thinking about what I’ve done. I can’t shake this feeling of disgust with myself!!

OP posts:
Nancydrawn · 22/05/2019 21:20

There's nothing wrong with a bit of fun and sex with an old flame. In fact, you can have a super selfish fling--that's fine, as long as everyone's on the same page. But it's really, really not okay to skip the condom when he knows you want it. That's the point where you walk away.

Chocmallows · 22/05/2019 21:20

He has played you, no matter how much you want him to think he hasn't hurt you he already knows and he doesn't care. You deserve more!

Talk and cry it out, get angry and then move on. You are new to dating and are not the first to be played while vulnerable after a marriage ending.

category12 · 22/05/2019 21:21

At least mute him on social media.

sheryl77 · 22/05/2019 21:22

No no birthday cards or texts but my birthday was before we met..

I’m not going to contact him. I won’t. It’s unlikely he’ll contact me anyway. I’m not blocking him as that means to him I care

OP posts:
sheryl77 · 22/05/2019 21:23

Yes I’ve muted him.

OP posts:
sheryl77 · 22/05/2019 21:25

Yes I’ve been played and it feels like utter shit. I don’t think he knows he’s hurt me. I’ve not said much to him after he said about the boyfriend comment.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 22/05/2019 21:27

I give it a week before he,'s back in your bed

sheryl77 · 22/05/2019 21:27

I even told him I’d sent him a birthday card to wish him a happy birthday (the fact is remembered from 17 years ago clearly had no sentiment for him!).

I truly feel so annoyed with myself for this situation. I did think he cared a bit about me as I was his ex and the realisation that he didn’t isnt a nice feeling.

OP posts:
sheryl77 · 22/05/2019 21:28

Anyfucker - no way!!! I’d be a mug more so to do that!!

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 22/05/2019 21:29

< raises eyebrows >

sheryl77 · 22/05/2019 21:29

I know you must all think I’m stupid!!

OP posts:
category12 · 22/05/2019 21:30

That's another reason he absolutely knows he has you hooked. Hmm

I'm not sure he'll be ready to snap his fingers in a week, AF.

AnyFucker · 22/05/2019 21:31

A month then. Same outcome.

sheryl77 · 22/05/2019 21:31

What do you mean?? The birthday card? I know I look like an idiot. What can I do :-(

OP posts:
Chocmallows · 22/05/2019 21:32

Not stupid, but a bit infatuated. It's hard to move on, but you need to find a way.

category12 · 22/05/2019 21:33

I don't think you're stupid, but you're not using your head and you're not being honest with yourself about why you won't block him, and why you're imagining scenarios where he drives to see you.

AnyFucker · 22/05/2019 21:34

You are thinking with your chuff, not your brain

category12 · 22/05/2019 21:34

Remembering his birthday 17 years on and imagining he'd find it endearing is what I meant.

sheryl77 · 22/05/2019 21:35

Agree he was an old love so I guess so.

I really don’t need rolling eyes emojis im just trying to move on and not get pulled down by people thinking I’ll have him back!! I won’t!!! I hate myself right now why would I put mauled through it again!? I deserve better!!! He’s not even my type of man and we’re cut from a different cloth, he’s lucky He’s been in my bed!!

OP posts:
sheryl77 · 22/05/2019 21:36

I just thought it was a nice thing to do. I was wrong,

OP posts:
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