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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

Seeing brothers best friend - Need some support/ advice please

92 replies

sheryl77 · 16/09/2019 15:59

Hi,

I've been speaking to one of my brothers best friend since February of this year. We started talking for work (I am now his client) and then he asked me for my personal phone number and we started chatting on a regular basis (He went to Singapore in May and he was texting me throughout the day on a daily basis whilst he was there, he also bought me a present out there as he knew I wanted something from there).

We built up a friendship and after months of talking on a daily basis, we slept together a few times.

I really value his friendship more than anything and we had what I thought was a strong, deep connection. Very similar people and he said it was 'fate' that we met and 'lets see what happens' so we continued to talk and see each other (a few dates). I know he was constantly torn with seeing me and his friendship with my brother who he has known for twenty years.

Two weeks ago we met and after us texting each other he was saying he wanted cuddles (Genuine cuddles and not a prelude to sex), I gave this affection when we last met and it seemed like he was freaking out at the time). Later in the day, he said the age difference wasn't a problem (he kind of made a statement to me that he was thinking it wasn't).

We had a great time and then he left (after he'd taken me to lunch the day after) and then he calls me in the evening and I can feel something is 'off'. His communications got less and less (we talked every day pretty much hour by hour).

I asked to speak to him and I said I was getting cold feet (I was at this point as he was being so cold and I was scared of getting hurt). He then said that he couldn't ruin his friendship with my brother and he would never 'approve'. In all fairness, I am just going though a divorce and my brother knows I am not in a good place so right now he wouldn't agree to it, but I think in time if he knew I was happy he would.

I feel a bit 'misled' as he went 'deep' with me and as soon as I went 'deep' he seemed to run away! He was talking about it being fate us meeting (I guess you don't do that for fxxx buddies!) and I genuinely thought when he said 'lets see what happens' that he would consider going into a relationship with me and letting my brother know if feelings developed.

He said it was best to end things now before they got much deeper.

I don't understand! I feel like he's given me mixed messages and am so hurt by it.

We agreed we'd be friends, however I am trying to get my head around it and the fact he wasn't willing to take a 'risk' by even asking my brother.

Am I being unreasonable?

I guess whatever will be will be, but I just feel like we had such a connection (genuine) and I am so hurt by this and I think he feels the same, but I just don't know!

He said he will miss me...however the physical side has to stop.

I am suffering with depression at the moment, so I really just need some advice and support, no hard truths as I just cannot handle my emotions right now.

OP posts:
AudTheDeepMinded · 16/09/2019 16:03

Blimey, is this the return of 'Friends'? My relationships are none of my brother's business. How old are you all (genuine question).

Nicolastuffedone · 16/09/2019 16:04

I’m not sure I understand....he can’t be in a relationship with you because he’s friends with your brother??

sheryl77 · 16/09/2019 16:04

Hi there, I am 42, he is 38!

OP posts:
sheryl77 · 16/09/2019 16:05

He said my brother would never approve and he doesn't want to risk ruining a friendship with my brother :-(

OP posts:
AudTheDeepMinded · 16/09/2019 16:05

And this bloke seems to be making a hell of meal out of this. Perhaps wait until you are feeling stronger and have more perspective about the end of your previous relationship before embarking on another (and with someone a bit more mature and straight forward).

Nicolastuffedone · 16/09/2019 16:05

Ok...but why can’t he be in a relationship with you? What’s your brother got to do with anything?

Nicolastuffedone · 16/09/2019 16:06

Oh right.....why won’t your brother approve? Why is it his business?

sheryl77 · 16/09/2019 16:07

He said he wouldn't approve of 'us'..like never approve. Am I missing something?? Or was it just a cop out? Genuinely have no doubt he liked me until last week. I actually thought he had feelings for me as thats what his actions were saying. Morning texts, goodnight texts etc..

Everyone says he a good guy but I just don't know what to make of this.

OP posts:
sheryl77 · 16/09/2019 16:08

He doesn't want to ruin a 20 year friendship with my brother. I've no idea why he thinks he won't approve other than what I said that I am just getting divorced.

OP posts:
PositiveVibez · 16/09/2019 16:08

Oh dear OP. I feel for you. He has completely lead you up the garden path.

'let's see what happens' would have had alarm bells ringing for me. It basically means I don't really want to commit, but I still want a shag'

You don't have to be his friend if it's too hard.

Don't chase him. It might be wise to block him. Maybe one night he has a few drinks, messages you when you're feeling low and boom, right back to square one.

Look after yourself OP. Make yourself your priority Flowers

sheryl77 · 16/09/2019 16:10

I feel so let down. Problem is I will have to see him again as he's a close friend of my brothers and we see each others at festivals, family outings etc.

I''m not chasing him. At all. I just feel bad that I misread what he was saying.

OP posts:
Nicolastuffedone · 16/09/2019 16:11

But your brother isn’t in charge of you! Is he? I think this is an excuse. Walk away, he’s a player.

sheryl77 · 16/09/2019 16:12

The thing is I don't think he is a player (maybe Im being naive). He's been in very long term relationships since he was 18.

OP posts:
Nicolastuffedone · 16/09/2019 16:14

He’s playing you OP.

AudTheDeepMinded · 16/09/2019 16:14

Is treating you like shit going to be ok with your brother though (seen as his opinion seems to matter so much).

sheryl77 · 16/09/2019 16:16

No, if my brother knew he would KILL him.

I am friends with him on FB and contacts on WhatsApp. I will see him again for my brothers girlfriends birthday party in 4 weeks and I am dreading it.

OP posts:
BIWI · 16/09/2019 16:18

He sounds like a player to me. He's had the shag but doesn't want the relationship

sheryl77 · 16/09/2019 16:25

All honesty, he did say that it probably couldn't be anything more than FWB. He said he as honest with me. However, his actions were not giving me that all day long messages. 2 hour long telephone calls. Daily contact since February (lead by him). I don't think you do that for FWB? I don't know anymore. Very confused. Very let down.

OP posts:
Binting · 16/09/2019 16:25

It might be that your brother "wouldn't approve" because he knows what his friend is like with women and wouldn't want him to hurt his sister? Which he as now anyway! I would tell your brother what happened, tell him it's over and you got a bit burned by it and see what your brother says. As I'm typing I'm thinking his friend might have said something crass about 'getting in there' when he found out you were getting divorced? If so your brother might have told him to back off.

sheryl77 · 16/09/2019 16:27

Wow, if I told my brother he would KILL him. We both went into it and it was two of us that wanted it. The thing is as I said that he's been in long term relationships and I don't think he is a player, but now most people saying he is!

Which friend said something crass about getting in there when I was getting divorced? When starting talking when I left my husband and I told him I was getting a divorce...

OP posts:
something2say · 16/09/2019 16:28

I have to say it. Your brother is not your keeper. You are not his belonging, to protect, to be rounded up and kept from men, for the sake of HIS honour!!! This is massive hark back to the patriarchy whereby animals, property, women and children were seen as belonging to the males, and males didn't disrespect each other by going with 'their' women.

That alone, that attitude alone is a problem. For both men.

sheryl77 · 16/09/2019 16:29

He would never have discussed me with my brother. He acted like we barely knew each other the last few times we saw each other around my family.

OP posts:
sheryl77 · 16/09/2019 16:30

They had a 'bro pact' - no sisters when they were in their teens! Evidently, its carried through to now we are adults!

OP posts:
Shortfeet · 16/09/2019 16:31

Completely bizarre.
It has FA to do with your brother who you sleep with.
Why didn't you say this to him?

sheryl77 · 16/09/2019 16:32

Its bizarre isn't it! I said if we went into a relationship that if my brother saw I was happy that he would be happy. Maybe not initially but he would come around.

OP posts:
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