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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

Uncomfortable with my partners friend

71 replies

Robrob2424 · 21/09/2022 15:14

I've been in a relationship for almost a year now, and to say the least its been slightly rocky until recently, but every argument we have had up until now was about a friend of hers, which is her gay best friend. This is a bit of a long one but I need some advice...I want to trust things have changed but I'm worried about it going back to normal...

A bit of back story when I got together with her, it took around 3 months before she mentioned the guy being her best friend or much about him, eventually she told me more about him, that they used to live together, that he was gay, how when she wasn't meeting up with me she was over at his most evenings have sleepovers, how she would shower at his every time she went, he then strangely always would after as well and they would sleep in the same bed. I wasn't exactly comfortable with it...especially when she changed from they keep apart in bed to actually he has her hand over her waist when they sleep.

Time went on and I said I felt uncomfortable with the sleeping in same bed part, regardless of who it was, gender, sexuality, I'd feel the same. It caused a massive argument as she wasn't happy about the idea of not sleeping in the same bed as him...eventually she understood it was simply me not feeling comfortable and I'd be fine if she just slept elsewhere.

At this point I was OK with the situation, happy and had no issues...that's where it went down hill...a short while after, I met him for the first time and the first meeting he came round and he sat down didn't even look at me and said to her "would you still be up for being impregnated, I want a child" I was like what the hell, it was very disrespectful, especially with me being in a relationship with her...it affects everything. She then panicked and had explain quickly that she was meant to be a surrogate, but wanted kids with me now instead. He didn't look all too happy to be fair.

Second meeting, things were going well and then he started showing sexual meme images on his phone...and things, after he left I said I wasn't exactly comfortable with it...and then my gf said its not that bad all gay guys do it, and said about him trying to show her a sex tape of himself one time...that didn't make me feel better, she said she would speak to him about me feeling uncomfortable.

Third meeting, he came round started speaking about threesomes, said all men wants them, that I'm not any different...when she said but that's not true...he said girl it is, your bf is exactly the same. She actually came and spoke to me about it...and asked me if I wanted one..I felt untrusted..that caused some issues...she said she would speak to him again...

Fourth meeting, we just came back from holiday and first thing he wanted to do was get drunk, have a sleepover and he said cuddle her and watch movies together..
I was like a bit taken back but in the end he came round for another coffee...Once again he started with sexual things, somehow spoke about the time he sucked off my gfs flatmate, while she was in the other room and could hear it...gave her all the details, then went on to say how he left her in a coffee shop once to go suck a guy in the park...

After four times and nothing changing, I was like I'm not comfortable with this sexual talking all the time...I spoke to her and she said she didn't speak to him as she didn't want to upset him and his feelings...i was like OK...what about mine? Same with the not sleeping in same bed, she didn't speak to him about it as she didn't want to upset him...there were also small things throughout this time such as he would video call a ridiculous amount of time...when we were together and would be upset if she didn't pick up...she would think she was a bad friend so would pick up...and this would be in times which we were spending together as a couple or on days out...they were pretty much texting daily with "love you", "my love", "love you more!!" His main fb page is just of him and her holding hands, if people didn't know them...you would think they were a couple

Lastly the thing which kicked off the biggest argument of all was when, my mum had just split up with her partner of 18 years, she has 3 kids and social services were involved, it could have been possibly the last time I could have seen then (luckily it hasn't been the case) and we had planned to go see them and I asked if she would come along and she said yes, we had it all planned. I was feeling terrible and worried, Saturday comes and I drop her to her nail appointment, I get a message and she says her friend is in the area and that they are going to grab a coffee...I was like its late already but OK...Next second she messages me and says she won't make it back in time now and is sorry, short while later she is having dinner at his and says that she felt bad that her friend was having issue with his mom and its terrible (he has issues every week almost with her), I was sat by myself in the car crying, wondering if I'll see my siblings or not again...it caused a big argument, probably the biggest one yet.

So we had an entire month, where she cut back from seeing the friend for a while, well didn't see him at all, still spoke but also cut back on taking his calls when he wanted, he rang 5 times 4 days in a row one week, she gave up at one point...turned off the tv, the light, left me in a pitch black room, closed the door and went to speak to him
.... after that though, she apologised realised she was wrong and then we travelled, she saw her other friends, it's been the best time of our relationship if I'm honest, we haven't argued, things are perfect. She even said it herself, this is the closest we have been. It's been about 1 month and a half, and things are literally perfect now.

My fear however is that...she of course just can't cut out her friend forever and I would never ask that, but when we have been talking about her going to see him again and things...its already changed to him saying about getting drunk and having a sleepover...is getting upset when she says she is busy (when she actually has work or something), is asking questions of why she is busy the other days, saying don't worry about spending time with your bf and is back to almost phoning every day to complain about his job, the world or his mum...and I'm worried it will go back to that again.

He has a bf of his own, in all the time, I've never been invited out as a couple, he only hasn't like the pictures of me and my gf on social media and I can tell he doesn't exactly like me, any advice at all in this situation?

OP posts:
MsPavlichenko · 27/09/2022 11:19

This sounds absolutely exhausting. All of this swirling around your head. Why not get out and free yourself up for a relationship that makes you and your partner happy?

I’m assuming your last relationship was functional so you realise how warped this is?

HoneyIShrunkThePizza · 27/09/2022 11:34

This is not how adults behave. Any of it. Do you think she's bringing out the best in you?

Robrob2424 · 27/09/2022 12:55

I didn't realise till recently how dysfunctional it is, at the same time she messaged him further about why he didn't come to her birthday recently and finally believes me that he is causing a lot of drama on purpose/not including me in things.

His reply was about me saying something about him. Which she was with me, so told him that wasn't true. His reply was to say hmm but I remember it that way. When she told him no again and when she said I was making an effort including inviting him out. He ignored it....and changed the subject. But originally tried to make it that he didn't want to see her and hasn't been nice due to not liking me. Which he had been lying to her all this time till now about.

She said she needs to speak to him about him disliking me...he didn't even disagree with it...just said ok.

So after we spoke, she apologised and said I'm so sorry I can't believe he has been acting that way with you, you must have been feeling helpless for a while...I can't believe he lied to me about not liking you...I can't believe he has been so petty to not meet up at all, she then went on about how she has always been there for him, wouldn't do the same to him and how she notices she has to keep changing dates and he doesn't even try anymore and couldn't be bothered to try for her birthday.

So she is off tomorrow to have a coffee with him, tell him that she feels like he isn't being a friend at all recently, ask him why he can't be bothered to take time recently to see her just because she stopped listening to his crap and then tell him either he accepts me as her bf and starts respecting me or their friendship is going to end

OP posts:
Robrob2424 · 27/09/2022 12:57

Read my reply above...she is going to speak to him and I'm not sure what you mean...I came here for advice.

To be fair all I've done is feel like I've been attacked by her friend, not said anything bad about it, been inclusive of him, invited him out everytime we went out and even tried to help him when he had some issues he was worried about, such as car trouble. On the other side...he hasn't included me, caused arguments, and is treating me like crap without an actual reason

OP posts:
wellhelloitsme · 27/09/2022 13:07

Mate, aren't you just fucking exhausted by all this? Literally no healthy relationship starts with even 10% of this drama.

So she is off tomorrow to have a coffee with him, tell him that she feels like he isn't being a friend at all recently, ask him why he can't be bothered to take time recently to see her just because she stopped listening to his crap and then tell him either he accepts me as her bf and starts respecting me or their friendship is going to end

This is simply going to cause another big round of drama! He'll be defensive and manipulative, she'll report back to you on what he says, you'll be annoyed he's said it and / or she might believe some of it...

I'm trying to say this kindly but you continuing this relationship is absolute madness. This isn't how healthy relationships start.

Have you been in a healthy, happy relationship before or are you comparing this to other unhealthy relationships and that's maybe why your boundaries are so off?

SuperSange · 27/09/2022 13:10

I feel tired just reading that. I literally couldn't be arsed with that. It's very playground; he said this, she said that. You all need to grow the fuck up and start behaving like adults.

Robrob2424 · 27/09/2022 13:17

I'll be honest my boundaries might be a bit off...probably why I'm asking about this, I had a relationship before for 8 years but it ended up with it being a toxic relationship and she was the abusive one...I had to walk away. I haven't actually been in a situation like this before or had any issues over the 8 years with a partners friend

OP posts:
monkeyupsidedown · 27/09/2022 15:17

So she is off tomorrow to have a coffee with him, tell him that she feels like he isn't being a friend at all recently, ask him why he can't be bothered to take time recently to see her just because she stopped listening to his crap and then tell him either he accepts me as her bf and starts respecting me or their friendship is going to end

Soooo he's getting her on his own , which is what he wanted all along, to try and poison her against you again. If she'd have any respect for you she wouldn't keep meeting him alone knowing that he causes arguments. The guy wants to break you up. If I were you I'd dump her. She is allowing this to happen.

Robrob2424 · 27/09/2022 15:31

I honestly didn't think of it that way...as she said said she needed to speak to him in person about it and said about having a coffee...

But you are right, he did want her alone till now...and has pretty much just gotten his way.

To be fair his reply about her seeing him after him saying OK about having to talk about his dislike for me, was about him saying it will be great to see her etc. He did literally ignore and shut down the conversation as he is happy he got his way to see her alone

OP posts:
wellhelloitsme · 27/09/2022 15:37

She's going to privately meet with someone very manipulative, who she has a history of poor boundaries with, who hugely dislikes you and disapproves of your relationship.

I'm at a loss as to how you can see that ending well for you.

She's meeting up with someone who hates you and doesn't want you and her to be together. And she's never stood up to him before, so is unlikely to do so now.

If someone had been a complete cunt to my partner and actively made my partner uncomfortable despite me loving that partner and knowing they're a good person (let's assume she feels that way) then I simply wouldn't want to be friends with them any more.

I hate bullies, I hate manipulators and I dislike meddlers.

The fact she's still seeing and attempting to compromise / mediate with someone who is so actively unkind to you says a lot about her to be honest.

She actively wants to fix things with him so they can stay friends and he can be in her life. She's chosen him tbh.

At best she is a coward who won't ever have your back if doing so requires her to feel awkward or have a difficult conversation with someone.

At worst she quite simply doesn't care enough about you to stop being mates with someone who is horrible to you.

Do you really want to be with someone who fits either of those descriptions.

2bazookas · 27/09/2022 15:53

The gay guy sounds horrible but he isn't the problem.

The problem is , your GF. She's got no respect for your feelings, deploying GG as a kind of weapon to goad and punish you with. Its quite creepily S and M.

Misty84 · 27/09/2022 16:09

Exhausted just reading this.
A relationship shouldn’t be like this OP. I would have no tolerance or patience for it!! Very disrespectful and weird.

Carlycat · 27/09/2022 16:19

Dump both. What a pair of twats

Robrob2424 · 28/09/2022 07:18

She cut him off fully last night, told her that I would rather she settle things with him over the phone. She messaged saying he needed to apologise to me for treating me a bad way and it wasn't on and for being a crap friend to her. He came back with some crap about me saying something again, turned out me and her argued on the phone, while he was next to her he listened in and took on his own accord that I said something about him. she said I already told you it didn't happen and that argument had nothing to do with you and was an argument between me and my bf. He came back with ok well it was a misunderstanding then but I have nothing to apologise for. She said you've treated my bf badly, treated me badly and you can't apologise for a misunderstanding, you've caused issues in our relationship over a misunderstaning over something that he got wrong and kept assuring her that he did like me before coming out and admitting he hadn't. He said I'm not going to be blamed for your relationship issues, I'm the one who deserves an apology from you and your bf for causing issues with your argument you had and I think I have to rethink our whole friendship (tried to make himself out as the victim and said he was waiting for her and me to apologise) she realised tonight he wasn't a friend, that he actually didn't like me, is selfish etc. and finally cut him off without a second thought, it's finally over. But my god the guy is a piece of work, never met someone so selfish and toxic

OP posts:
Robrob2424 · 28/09/2022 07:19

She cut him off fully last night, told her that I would rather she settle things with him over the phone. She messaged saying he needed to apologise to me for treating me a bad way and it wasn't on and for being a crap friend to her. He came back with some crap about me saying something again, turned out me and her argued on the phone, while he was next to her he listened in and took on his own accord that I said something about him. she said I already told you it didn't happen and that argument had nothing to do with you and was an argument between me and my bf. He came back with ok well it was a misunderstanding then but I have nothing to apologise for. She said you've treated my bf badly, treated me badly and you can't apologise for a misunderstanding, you've caused issues in our relationship over a misunderstaning over something that he got wrong and kept assuring her that he did like me before coming out and admitting he hadn't. He said I'm not going to be blamed for your relationship issues, I'm the one who deserves an apology from you and your bf for causing issues with your argument you had and I think I have to rethink our whole friendship (tried to make himself out as the victim and said he was waiting for her and me to apologise) she realised tonight he wasn't a friend, that he actually didn't like me, is selfish etc. and finally cut him off without a second thought, it's finally over. But my god the guy is a piece of work, never met someone so selfish and toxic

OP posts:
Psychopomps · 28/09/2022 07:54

Yay, you ‘won’. 🙄

Grow up, OP. I predict the relationship will end pretty soon, now that you don’t have your territory battle with this man to conduct.

Robrob2424 · 28/09/2022 08:20

Love how you say grow up 😂 literally did nothing wrong, extended a branch the other day to sort it, he turned it against himself and admitted to treating me and his own friend badly because he wanted to act up. I'm not sure how being inclusive and keep trying after him treating both me and her badly is a territory battle

OP posts:
Watchkeys · 28/09/2022 08:43

Robrob2424 · 28/09/2022 08:20

Love how you say grow up 😂 literally did nothing wrong, extended a branch the other day to sort it, he turned it against himself and admitted to treating me and his own friend badly because he wanted to act up. I'm not sure how being inclusive and keep trying after him treating both me and her badly is a territory battle

The fact that you're feeling the need to defend yourself at all here indicates that you do need to grow up. 'Literally did nothing wrong' is teenager talk, and your style and detail of writing indicates things about you as well as your little battle here that you've 'won'.

You have still chosen to stay with someone who has prior form for disrespecting you. It's really not wise. She's cut back from seeing him before, too, so you know she has prior form for not sticking to 'staying away from him'.

I wish you luck. I don't think you've seen the last of him.

Menora · 28/09/2022 08:44

I have a similar friend to your GF… I have kept him away from my DP and tbh he has no interest in him. He doesn’t want me being happy he only wants to be happy himself and prefers me unhappy and single. Misery loves company. I feel bad cutting him out though as well as I know he is lonely! I have better boundaries than your GF as I am older and wiser. I don’t allow this friend to dictate my life.

I don’t think you will part them forever. They will make up. They seem to really like this push pull traumatic toxic bond they have. It’s because it feels special and you can’t replicate that for her as you are more levelled. You will not be able to mature your own girlfriend at your pace, I suspect she will latch on to someone else or go back to him. The problem is her. You aren’t her therapist and you talk like you are her dad and she’s your teen daughter…

MysteriesOfTheOrganism · 28/09/2022 08:50

No boundaries, no respect... just a chaotic, messy enmeshment. Get out and don't look back.

PearlclutchersInc · 28/09/2022 18:40

Godalmighty, what a drama.

Can't see your relationship lasting the course. Suggest you ease off and start to disengage as this will have more episodes than Eastenders.

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