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Relationships

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He drunk called his ex.

123 replies

ThatPearlOP · 18/02/2024 15:02

My boyfriend and I have lived together for a year and a half or so, and been together for nearly three. We are perfect together. Everybody is envious of our near perfect relationship, we are genuinely the best of friends. He is the best person I have ever met.

My family and friends adore him, his family and friends adore me, and it’s genuinely felt like we’re in the honeymoon phase for the entire time we’ve been together.

Since moving in together we have had much less sex than usual. Normal I thought, and doesn’t bother me because I don’t have the highest sex drive anyway. I’m also not the most confident in bed so he does tend to take a lead every single time which, I know, is not ideal, and I could definitely improve this area.

On Friday night he went out with his friends, and Saturday morning I had plans with my friends, so we barely saw one another. He was asleep so I put a glass of water on his table, kissed him goodbye and left.

While I was with my friends I received a message from an Instagram user that I did not know. The message was from my partners ex-girlfriend….. he had called her at 2am.

I immediately messaged him, and he said he was so sorry, he had gone to ring one of his friends, he was drunk / couldn’t see who he was calling and it was a mistake. I trust him, and I said we could talk about it when I get home in the evening.

Fast forward to Saturday evening, I get home and he’s out again. I tell him I need to see him, I need to talk to him about what happended, and asked him to please come home at a reasonable hour so we can talk it out. He didn’t. I picked him up at 4:00am, where he was just wandering the streets, alone.

In the morning he tells me he’s not happy at all in life, he needs to find himself again, doesn’t like that we spend 24/7 together, and he needs to find his own ‘spark’ / happiness to see if we can come back together, so basically, he wants to break-up.

I asked if he means to ‘take a break’ or to actually break-up. He says break-up, but he wants to see how he feels in a weeks time.

He kept repeating that he loves me, I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to him, that he ‘wishes’ it could work. He says it’s nothing I’ve done and kept apologising and apologising for ‘hurting me’.

Although very teary, I was super calm about it, told him he needs to do what he needs to do and it’s ok that he is putting himself first.

We have so much planned over the next 2 weeks - 3 concerts (with his family) and a holiday. The concerts are all musicians I adore so frankly, I don’t want to take a step back and let just him go - I paid for the holiday, too, as his birthday present. So I’m not sitting that out either.

He’s gone for a walk now, but he’ll be back later.

He will be sleeping in the spare room but we will be living in the same house. He has nowhere to go other than his mum’s sofa. My mum said I should just tell him to sleep at his mum’s on the sofa, but I don’t have it in me.

I’m really really anxious about him not being around, I’m absolutely not strong enough for that.

How do I handle this now? I am obviously absolutely devastated but I’m subconsciously just thinking about how everything will be fine, we’ll get back together, we’re soulmates, yadda yadda yadda. But what if we don’t? How would you navigate this situation? I’m lost.

Thank you for reading.

OP posts:
GrazingSheep · 18/02/2024 15:48

Are you renting together? Are you both on the tenancy agreement?

Lampslights · 18/02/2024 15:50

I’m sorry op, he’s trying to not hurt you, but it’s over. I think uou need to accept it as your first step and not hope he’s coming back .

I do sense something worrying in your words though, th4 whole near perfect relationship, everyone is jealous, everyone adores us. This is your view. His view is very different, he’s unhappy and feels suffocated. Understanding why you can’t see that, is key.

Pinkbonbon · 18/02/2024 15:54

Hes on maneuvers. Sniffing about to see if there's any women of interest around that would be "better". Or simply looking to chase some tail for a few weeks then come back with a standard sob story about having been depressed and not knowing what he wants blah blah bullshit.

It's also possible he's already cheating and he's attempting to introduce a situation where he's just met a new woman on your break, and 'can't decide what he wants' so he can yoyo between you. Maybe she's already on the scene. Would explain phoning his ex as he's thinking "I've already got two women interested, I'm clearly hot shit. What MORE could I get?'

If he wants to break up then fine but it's done and he moves out/you move out.

GreyTS · 18/02/2024 15:57

You've jumped and clung on to the only reply that gives you hope that this relationship will work out. Honestly just constantly re read the more brutal responses, they are the truth. He doesn't want to be in a relationship with you, that's it, end of story, no need to know why or what happened, it really doesn't matter. He does not want you, let him go, if you love him so much stop prolonging his misery. Breaking up with someone you care about is so difficult, but you're refusing to listen and are clinging to him like a limper. Stop it

Lampslights · 18/02/2024 16:03

You've jumped and clung on to the only reply that gives you hope that this relationship will work out

yeah, she has, as that’s what she’s hoping as he wasn’t strong enough in ending it.

op, honestly going to the concerts with his family, and the holiday , can you really do that as friends? Ex’s? Or are you going to go, as you’re hoping he will change his mind. What happens if he doesn’t go . Will you still go?

Opentooffers · 18/02/2024 16:20

The best chance of getting him back, is to use the same strategy you need to get over him, so you have nothing to lose here, be strong, don't beg as that is deeply unattractive. He needs to be out of the house and at his mother's, he wants time on his own, give him all the time he needs, he needs to feel your loss, and realise what he has done. If he gets the impression you are doing OK without him, that will bug him more than anything. I 2nd going to the gigs and on hol with friends and family - no need for you to miss out, and its important to keep as busy as possible- fake it till you make it applies.
While he's gone, consider the relationship, were you really with each other 24/7, or is he rewriting history for his own ends and fabricating excuses? (You'd have to both wfh to achieve that). A perfect relationship doesn't exist, everyone has flaws, it's compromise that's necessary mixed with doing your own things at times, because nobody likes doing exactly what another does all the time and separate time with friends is a good thing, therwise theres nothing new to talk about. So if you were always out as a couple together, that could be suffocating.
Look after yourself, give yourself time and pampering in between surrounding yourself with family and friends. You will come out of this stronger.

ConstitutionHill · 18/02/2024 16:40

Sadly, the relationship was not near perfect. Your mum is so right, what's stopping you from listening to her, why can't he sleep on his mum's sofa? He's dumped you.

I understand you love him, but he's telling you kindly that he wants out. For me, I would just be too proud to cry and beg, no matter how I felt. The cringe factor of knowing someone didn't want to be with me would just be too strong.

Go to those concerts with a friend. Hold your head high and let him run after his ex.

DelphiniumBlue · 18/02/2024 16:47

He's said he wants to break up, so there's nothing more to be said really. It doesn't matter about his ex, what he or she did or said, what his family or anyone else thinks. He's said he wants to break up, so it's over, surely?
If you beg and plead and keep discussing it, maybe he'll falter, but he'll only do it again. He's not feeling it for you anymore. It's hard, not anyone's fault, but the only thing you need to discuss is who is going to move out and when, how to handle the practicalitites.

ICantbelieveitMeldrew · 18/02/2024 16:52

@ThatPearlOP it's pretty obvious that you don't want to break up but I don't think you have a choice in this. If it is not now there will be another time and another time ... Move on now with your pride. You should never be someone's OPTION.

"Although very teary, I was super calm about it, told him he needs to do what he needs to do and it’s ok that he is putting himself first."

Wtf is that all about? I'm doubting that anyone can be as accommodating as this?

GoldDuster · 18/02/2024 17:03

He's ending the relationship, and you're not hearing him. You feel your relationship is near perfect, and for him, it's over. This isn't a case of giving him a few weeks and he'll come back round, and a holiday is going to be a flipping disaster. Change the names on the tickets and take a friend instead.

If you cling on to this you will regret it, the best thing you can do is hear him and accept it. Ask him to leave, if that's to his mums' sofa then so be it. Presumably he's thought about where he's going to go when he leaves you, that's his business.

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 18/02/2024 17:12

Definitely his mums sofa.

Devonshiregal · 18/02/2024 17:30

ThatPearlOP · 18/02/2024 15:25

I agree with this take 100%. Thank you so much. I just need to find the strength to tell him he has to stay at his mums. I feel terrible about it

Wait, I feel like this post accidentally gave you false hope.

It comes across like he’s trying to wriggle out of the fact he rang his ex (he did) but that if he can distract you he will be able to come back to you in a week and you’ll have forgotten all about it.

I feel like you’re probably going to choose to take this as he fucked up but he wants to stay in a relationship with you (otherwise why would he be trying to wriggle out of the calling his ex thing.

he has literally said he doesn’t want to be with you and is unhappy. You’re now saying you haven’t got it in you to send him to his mum’s couch - be honest with yourself, you just don’t WANT him to go to his mum’s couch because then he’s gone and might never come back.

I agree with other posters, if actuation makes you feel like the other person feels the same and two people can be having very different experiences of the relationship.

I think unfortunately this is just one of those times where it wasn’t meant to be. Fucking sucks to be heartbroken but it isn’t fair on either of you to be stuck in this.

if he doesn’t want to be with you now, he can come back and say he wants to be but this is going to happen all over again in a year or two.

so sorry love but best thing to do is rio the band aid off, retire to bed for a few days with wine and Bridget jones diary. Then life will be different but it will get great again soon.

Livelovebehappy · 18/02/2024 17:32

People saying to throw him out; can OP actually do this, as presumably they either have both names on a lease, or a mortgage if home owners. I agree, as he is the one wanting to break up, that he should leave, but he may dig his heels in and say he will stay in the spare bedroom until they sort out what’s happening with the house. If I was his mother I wouldn’t be advising him to just hand over his keys to op and move out if his name is on a mortgage.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 18/02/2024 17:38
  1. Why does he still have her number in his phone !
  2. He stays at his mother's - it's NOT your responsibility if he sleeps on a sofa
  3. That was really kind of the ex to let you know
  4. Maybe that is why she is the Ex as she didn't put up with this behaviour ?
  5. You will have bags packed for him when he gets back from his walk
  6. He has actually said to you he wants to break up
  7. Listen to him
  8. Allow him a full week with no contact from you and I do mean NO contact
  9. No begging No crying No constant texting No asking if he has decided yet
TheBayLady · 18/02/2024 17:38

He wants out but is spineless and doesn't want everyone to know he suggested breaking up. Tell him to grow up and fuck off. You may think you had a perfect relationship but he clearly didn't. Being together 24/7 is no good for anyone.

ChimneySweepLiverpool · 18/02/2024 17:52

This is tough and i'm sorry you have to go through this.

The only way to save your dignity/make him realise what he has lost is to walk away. Be cold. Find that strength in you and walk away.

He is taking for granted the relationship you have and he needs to see he can't treat you that way. Maybe that could lead to one day being together (but he'd have to be honest about his ex first) if he can see what he's missing. Chances are by stepping away you'll realise that you don't want him back

Orio2023 · 18/02/2024 17:55

My family and friends adore him

No they don’t. The only person who adores him is you.

DeeCeeCherry · 18/02/2024 18:00

Everybody is envious of our near perfect relationship, we are genuinely the best of friends. He is the best person I have ever met
My family and friends adore him, his family and friends adore me, and it’s genuinely felt like we’re in the honeymoon phase for the entire time we’ve been together

Well this is your saccharine sweet perspective, but it clearly wasn't his. There'd have been signs he and your relationship weren't perfect, whether you took heed is another story. For now anyway he's giving you the 'its not me, its you' line as hes no longer into the relationship and/or is interested in somebody else.

Sadly when a man tells you this you do need to listen and just leave him to go his own way. Go through the upset and heartbreak as you must, emerge from that and build a new life for yourself.

OrlandointheWilderness · 18/02/2024 18:01

Good on her for telling you, that was a decent thing to do.
Dump his ass.

Fargo79 · 18/02/2024 18:02

I asked if he means to ‘take a break’ or to actually break-up. He says break-up, but he wants to see how he feels in a weeks time

He wants to shag someone else but still have the option to come back in a week and say "we weren't together so it wasn't cheating". If that's not his plan, then what's the difference between "broken up" or "taking a break"?

He's not a keeper. Even if you believe the story about his "accidental" call to the ex and his sob story about being very sad with life blah blah blah....you really don't need a bloke who is so inept at communication that he can't use his big boy words to talk about what's going on until it reaches crisis point. This is the kind of bloke who runs off to his mum's house and leaves his wife with a week old newborn because he can't cope and feels under pressure 🙄 Lucky you that you've got the chance to dodge that bullet now.

MumblesParty · 18/02/2024 18:02

How old are you both OP?

Cafuddle · 18/02/2024 18:04

I think you’re being very nice and probably once the shock kicks in so will your anger. Honestly it may be perfect for you but it may not be for him. Maybe he is not over the ex. Maybe he regrets whatever happened with her. Personally I would go on the holiday with a friend as you paid for it. Get a name change. Give up the concerts. He definitely needs to be on his mums sofa. You both need space to think. Don’t let him treat you badly by being a doormat.

Lampslights · 18/02/2024 18:06

We are perfect together. Everybody is envious of our near perfect relationship, we are genuinely the best of friends. He is the best person I have ever met. My family and friends adore him, his family and friends adore me, and it’s genuinely felt like we’re in the honeymoon phase for the entire time we’ve been together

he’s not happy at all in life, he needs to find himself again, doesn’t like that we spend 24/7 together, and he needs to find his own ‘spark’ / happiness to see if we can come back together, so basically, he wants to break-up. I asked if he means to ‘take a break’ or to actually break-up

can you see it op? You both have very different views of the same relationship . Yours is like some mills and boon hallmark version and his is he wants out and it doesn’t work.

how can two people have such drastically different views of the same relationship ? One thinking it’s the stuff of movies, and rhe other thinking it doesn’t work and needs to end.

of course you don’t wish to ask him to leave, it would be too final. I actually think you should go and stay with friends or your mum for a couple of days, try to get some perspective, as I think you’re clinging on in the hope he will change his mind in a week and being in the house with him is going to make it really hard for you.

TinyTyrantsSnackb1tch · 18/02/2024 18:08

Why does he still have her number in his phone? Do they have kids together?...

Regardless, he's told you he wants to break up, you HAVE to respect this and let him go. You might have thought the relationship was "near perfect", this proves that he doesn't think that though. Its shit, but you're going to have to stop avoiding the truth and move on with your life.

DeeCeeCherry · 18/02/2024 18:12

'Its not you, it's me' line that should have read.

But this

he tells me he’s not happy at all in life, he needs to find himself again, doesn’t like that we spend 24/7 together, and he needs to find his own ‘spark’ / happiness

At least he's told you. Now you can take a deep breath and look towards your own future. Its horrible when men pull this, as you have to face up to a picture of the future that looks quite different. You'll get through it tho. Put yourself 1st

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