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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

Scared to tell his friend about me

80 replies

Turnipnose · 01/03/2021 17:46

I need some objective advice on this. I’ve never had any jealousy issues in a relationship but am being told I have issues with other women that are friends with my boyfriend of a year and he is scared to mention them but a lot of this started after he told me he was scared to tell his close female friend that he had met someone and was scared to upset her. I found that a bit odd? Can anyone talk some sense into me? I am now having counselling for this issue of me being jealous.

OP posts:
Littlepaws18 · 01/03/2021 20:58

He was filling a gap with them emotionally when he didn't have a girlfriend. It's like a relationship but without the physical side of it. My partner had a few of these 'friend relationships' when I met him, they were intense, they went out on days out, even holidays every little secret was shared, he even once said about one of them that he wishes he had met her and not her ex, not because he fancied her but because her ex was aggressive! The nail in the coffin for me was when we met a grand mother of one of these 'friends' who questioned them in a supermarket about why they weren't together (she had a boyfriend). By that point I had enough, both sides were using each other, he loved the feeling of being a knight in shining armour and they loved the attention. So I said I'm not comfortable and if you want to commit to me then you can't commit emotionally in such an intense way with other women. Now just to point out he has a lot of female friends and his best friend is female who will be best woman at our wedding, he still goes out for coffee COVID permitting and meals etc and it doesn't bother me in the slightest because they are true friends who have supported him for many years through tough times and good.

Use your initiative, if it feels wrong then there probably is an issue and keeping you secret is a massive red flag!

MsDogLady · 01/03/2021 22:07

Turnip, your discomfort is entirely reasonable. You are involved with a manipulator. He says he has to hide you from this other woman. He tells you that he confides in her and the others. He becomes distant when you’re apart. This jerk set up this dynamic to put you on the back foot and foster insecurity.

Do yourself a huge favor and remove this toxic game player from your life asap.

tropicalwaterdiver · 02/03/2021 09:15

I've read somewhere the story about the guy who was living with his GF and had another woman "friend" and didn't want them to meet. Then he decided to move to live with his "friend" and at the end 2 women met when GF delivered his belongings to his new place. Turned out he was in relationships with both of them telling each that the other woman was his "friend".

VettiyaIruken · 02/03/2021 09:17

Friend. Yeah. Bollocks is she his friend. She's his 'friend' . Emphasis on the ' '

mrstea301 · 02/03/2021 09:25

Haven't read the full thread yet, but maybe your feelings of him being formal when you're apart if because he has these close female friends to confide in? So basically he's having his emotional needs met elsewhere?

SugarTown · 02/03/2021 09:32

How old is he OP? Does (or did he pre-COVID) he see all of these female friends regularly? Does he have many male friends?

It seems like a bit of an odd situation to me. I don’t understand why you need the counselling?! How much time do you get to spend together? It’s entirely his problem, not yours.

HelloThereMeHearties · 02/03/2021 09:35

When I was younger, OP, the only reason my boyfriends didn't want to introduce me to their friend group was when they Just Weren't That Into Me.

I am afraid to say, I think that may be the case here. And somehow you and he have turned that around on to you, as though you have the problem Hmm

BlueThistles · 02/03/2021 13:01

ffs end this 🌺

Turnipnose · 08/03/2021 07:45

So as an update now I think he is either weighing me up against someone else or about to dump me or both. Really hurts. He seems really angry with me about something and giving me strange replies to normal questions or compliments. Then randomly saying tell me again why it was you couldn’t come with me to such and such. Then on and off a laundry list of complaints like you don’t do this or like this. I feel awful and confused.

OP posts:
ThisTooShallBeFantastic · 08/03/2021 07:53

After one year things should not be like this. Get in there first and dump him OP. You’re not good for each other and this has no future. Sorry 💐

Turnipnose · 08/03/2021 07:59

I know :( what’s up with me that I’m letting this go on. I know what he’s doing and what he’s trying to say but I’m still clinging on like an idiot.

OP posts:
TopTabby · 08/03/2021 08:03

Please end this, you are worth so much more. Flowers

Turnipnose · 08/03/2021 08:06

Why the anger? A week ago he was being so nice to me, I would like to leave on okay terms as we still see each other about but he’s being so nasty on and off.

OP posts:
Turnipnose · 08/03/2021 08:07

It’s as if I’m the one that has cheated or something the way he’s angry

OP posts:
SortingItOut · 08/03/2021 08:10

Don't get caught up in why he is treating you like this, there is no rational explanation except he hates being caught out.

Do the dumping now and you'll feel 1000x better.

Why are you letting him send horrible messages? Dump and block.

Silurian · 08/03/2021 08:13

Oh, OP, for your own self-respect as well as your peace of mind, end this before it festers any longer.

I’m absolutely pro close opposite sex-friendships, DH’s oldest friends are women and my best friend is male (and an ex) but this really isn’t a positive situation for you, and you seem to feel completely disempowered in it.

Turnipnose · 08/03/2021 08:13

Not horrible messages, this is in person, he is saying you don’t like this or this and being strange and distant but in between acting like he used to so the result is I feel really confused

OP posts:
Turnipnose · 08/03/2021 08:16

I feel so pathetic. Obviously I’m thinking of how it was at the start and how upset he was when I tried to end it. I know what my gut is saying, I even had a dream this morning that he dumped me in a cruel way. Why am I doing this to myself.

OP posts:
Somuddled · 08/03/2021 08:21

You seem to be asking why a lot. Why is he being this way to you etc. Trying to understand is perfectly natural and the answer is simple. He isn't a good or kind human.

Relationships are supposed to double your amount of fun and half your amount of shit. A year in and it has already got you in therapy? NO NO NO. Break up with him, don't try or attempt to do it, just do it. He isn't good for you.

Somuddled · 08/03/2021 08:23

Please be kind to yourself. We all get in muddled up emotional states sometimes. Don't beat yourself up for what you have done so far just become your own champion and make good choices now.

SortingItOut · 08/03/2021 08:23

What were your previous relationships like?
If you suffer with poor self esteem then his words are like music to your ears as it confirms how worthless you are.

Stop meeting up with him, stop messaging him and get on with your life.

You are better and stronger than this.

Turnipnose · 08/03/2021 08:27

Suppose just the sudden change, I was convinced that things would be ok if I had counselling for my jealousy issues. This week he has been so cold and odd. I suppose I know what happening and just need to say it on here to get it out.

My self esteem was great at the start.

OP posts:
RantyAnty · 08/03/2021 08:47

Just text him that things aren't working out. All the best. Then delete and block.
This guy is such a mindfuck.

Turnipnose · 08/03/2021 08:53

I’m guessing he wants me to say that anyway after all the weird jabs a few days ago.

OP posts:
MizMoonshine · 08/03/2021 09:03

Put this whole man in the bin.

Honestly, he's not nice. And that's all you need to know. Regardless of any shortcomings you may or may not have, regardless of his friend. This man is not nice.

He does not hold your best interests at heart or act on them.

He is damaging you and he is not nice.

The very least someone should accept in a partner is that they are nice. If they don't have this, nothing they have beyond that is worth half a shiny shit.

Don't worry about keeping things amicable because you will still see him around. He doesn't deserve your kindness now and he won't when you bump into him at Tesco or the pub.

Gather up all the strength in your titties and tell him:

"Douchebag*,

I've given time and consideration to our relationship. I've invested in it emotionally and financially in the way of private therapy.

However, I've come to the conclusion that no amount of effort can balance the scales with you being just awful.

You, from day one, have attempted to establish a insecurity in me and then manipulated me in such a way to make me believe I was the person with an issue. I am not. There is something terribly wrong with you.

Your friendship with Douchebagsfriend* is something you should consider, along side your general nastiness before venturing into another relationship.

In case you missed it, you're now single. Enjoy. Or don't. But definitely work on yourself.

Byebitch."

*Might want to change these names, might not.

But honestly, my love, you're worth more than this.

In.
The.
Bin.