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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

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:
JaneAustensHeroine · 19/02/2024 10:44

Oh OP, he sounds a bit of a mess to be honest - and not a mess you need to sort out! You know what you want. He possibly doesn’t yet - and when he does figure it out it will be too late as you will likely have moved on.

Sometimes we just have to remind ourselves that if a person is for us, they won’t go past us. Much as you love him, he’s not right for you right now because he doesn’t have your maturity. Perhaps you are ready to settle down and he isn’t? You are in different places.

Go to the concerts. Go on holiday. Go with friends. He needs to know that your life is going to continue without him just fine. You also need to believe this. The best way to start believing something is to start doing it…the belief will follow!

Wishing you well.

Starlight1979 · 19/02/2024 10:58

" We are perfect together. Everybody is envious of our near perfect relationship., It’s genuinely felt like we’re in the honeymoon phase for the entire time we’ve been together"

and then

"Since moving in together we have had much less sex than usual."

So it's not still like the honeymoon phase is it OP? Sorry too much emphasis on how perfect he is, how perfect you are together, how perfect everyone thinks you are when in reality it sounds like you've been trying to project this "perfect" life on him, the whole time he isn't really happy at all...

Anjea · 19/02/2024 12:42

If he wants a break and yet you're not going to miss out on something you've been looking forward to then it's pretty much over isn't it?

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 19/02/2024 12:58

' I think he rang her for some closure / let her know how she made him feel / how he’s doing now kind of thing. '

at 2 am in the morning - bullshit !

They were together for like 5 months.

and you have been together for nearly 3 years !

Don't make excuses for him.
don't ' I think ' ASK !

whichwayisup · 19/02/2024 18:21

I'm glad he's left. He hasn't put up a fight.

The thing is, a few blow out arguments every now and again are healthy. I'd rather feel a connection with someone with the odd blow out argument than a "nice" but ultimately disconnected relationship.

I would not want to be in a forever relationship with someone I wasn't very connected to sexually. The fact you don't feel confident sexually with him after 3 years sounds the alarm bells for me.

It sounds like there was no passion and maybe, even though the ex relationship was problematic, the connection and the passion was there and maybe, if he's experienced that with someone else he knows what it should feel like.

Perfect to me would be the passion and the sexual connection with my best friend. So all that good stuff you thought you had but with that extra bit of magic.

So the good news is.... There is actually something better waiting for you. Someone with all the perfect this guy provided but who won't make you feel sexually insecure.

He really has done you a favour in the long run. You are still young and you sound lovely. Please don't let him string you along until he finds someone else. It'll make you miserable and won't allow you to meet the person who will actually connect with you.

NewStartNow · 19/02/2024 18:31

Loubelle70 · 18/02/2024 23:11

Take his ex on holiday and to the gig with you and send him pics 🤣

Great idea 😊

Dery · 19/02/2024 19:08

@whichwayisup has nailed it. Contented as you were, it all sounded a bit platonic and it sounds like what he was missing was a sexual connection. That doesn’t make either of you wrong but a large gulf in libidos does make you incompatible in the long run.

It’s dreadfully painful now, OP - especially for coming so much out of the blue. It’s going to take time to come to terms with it. In the meantime, please try to release this image you have of being too kind a person ever to get angry. That’s not a quality, it’s a flaw. It makes you sound a bit unreal and a bit detached. Healthy anger has a place in relationships. You’re allowed to look after yourself. Honestly, you sound lovely and a bit of righteousness indignation will not fundamentally change you!

itsmyp4rty · 19/02/2024 19:36

I think this relationship was perfect for you, but you were so happy that you didn't notice it wasn't so right for him. That's not your fault, he should have said something.

I agree with others that with you he's good friends but he's wanting the strong sexual chemistry that he had with the crappy cheating ex. That's why this all suddenly came to a head after the missed call I think.

It's horrible OP, but better to find out now rather than 20 years down the line - trust me.

Catladyireland · 19/02/2024 19:40

Hope you're doing OK OP. You've many years ahead to find someone who will be wonderful. You sound really nice, be proud of that and don't let him back

OLDbutnotforgotten · 19/02/2024 19:47

ThatPearlOP · 18/02/2024 15:28

Thank you, I know I need to find the strength to do that. I am such a people pleaser that I genuinely just can’t imagine him having to sleep on her sofa. I feel so bad

Sorry, I should have clarified. She messaged with a screenshot of a missed call from him at 2am (ish) and said hi, you don’t know me, I’m ___ ex girlfriend, I wanted to let you know I woke up with a missed call from him, they haven’t spoken in over 3 years so it’s entirely random, and she would want to know if her partner did it

So she did the right thing by letting me know. It was just a missed call I’m guessing she was asleep and he didn’t get the chance to say anything to her

Edited

This is weird. If an ex boyfriend called me at 2am and I had a missed call, I’d assume he’d sat on the phone or had meant to call the person next in his contact list.

Why message you? Why would that be any concern for you? It sounds like there’s much more to this than one drunk call.

kkloo · 19/02/2024 19:47

I do believe that this is a case of him feeling extremely guilty and avoiding the conversation about calling his ex girlfriend because he doesn’t want to face it. I know that doesn’t make it ok!

If this is true, it actually makes it sound worse tbh.
So avoidant that he concocts a story that will devastate you about how he's not happy at all, with you and with life and blah blah.
Some men don't deal with guilt well at all, and they become absolute nightmares because of it. Things that could easily be sorted become huge things. Things that are bad become 1000 times worse.

How ‘nice’ and understanding I am is my favourite thing about myself and I don’t want to let anybody ever take away my kindness. I pride myself on it.

And that type of behaviour can cause rage in people also, stonewalling and refusing to discuss the actual issue can eventually cause the most mild mannered person to absolutely lose it because it's like mental torture.

So if rather than have a conversation about calling his ex then he just made up this whole story about how unhappy he is to avoid it, or he was willing to actually go through with a break up to avoid having that conversation then that shows deep seated issues and does not bode well for the future of your relationship.

And what would happen if for example there was another issue with a woman, even something minor. Will you be able to call him out on it or will you be living in fear that if you do he'll break it off again? Because there are some men who will do that too, and it's not fear of discussing things at all, they just want to train their partners to never challenge them on any of their behaviour by making them fearful that they'll leave if they do.

IHateLegDay · 19/02/2024 19:54

He sounds incredibly selfish and immature. Are you sure this is the man you want to be with? If he's broken up once to avoid getting heat for his bad behaviour, he'll do it again and again.

RandomForest · 19/02/2024 20:10

I agree with the passion thing, and men generally like a challenge but if he was only with this woman for five months I can't see him being that passionately involved with her.

I could see him still wanting some fun, but really 5 months and she cheated and he was devastated and it's still affecting him 3 years down the line.

Nah, he wants a fiesty girl, one that's not adored by family and friends so much and it does sound like you've moulded yourself into being the perfect partner.

It does all seem a bit polite.

EveryOtherNameTaken · 19/02/2024 20:17

@RandomForest
Totally agree.

Lighteningstrikes · 19/02/2024 22:32

He’s a silly man and one day he will realise what a terrible mistake he’s made.

Don’t stop being you with your very rare lovely qualities. The sun will shine again 💐

Oh and please don’t miss out on the concerts or holiday, go with friends or whatever works. You deserve to go because you didn’t cause this.

ThatPearlOP · 20/02/2024 05:03

Hi everyone, I have an update…

He text around midday yesterday telling me he needs to see me and talk to me about something. He hates himself right now. I’m perfect, he doesn’t deserve me etc. I thought he was going to admit that he did call his ex… nope. He kissed a random girl on the 2nd night out. He swears nothing else happened / he didn’t get her number, nothing like that.

He still swears that the ex was just a misdial / pocket dial. I believe this now because, him kissing someone is so much worse than that, he would have just told me that too.

I’m devastated obviously, I did not expect it from him. He told his mum and sister and they’ve both cried.

He says it’s nothing I’ve done, we are happy, he’s made the biggest mistake of his life and ruined something ‘perfect’ (his words!). I have told him I need time away from him.

Like I thought, he has been so distraught and acting this way because he is guilty of something (granted I thought it was calling his ex girlfriend).

I’m just so sad. I never thought this would happen to us.

OP posts:
ThatPearlOP · 20/02/2024 05:04

Lighteningstrikes · 19/02/2024 22:32

He’s a silly man and one day he will realise what a terrible mistake he’s made.

Don’t stop being you with your very rare lovely qualities. The sun will shine again 💐

Oh and please don’t miss out on the concerts or holiday, go with friends or whatever works. You deserve to go because you didn’t cause this.

Thank you so much x

OP posts:
ThatPearlOP · 20/02/2024 05:06

Thank you x

OP posts:
Blu23 · 20/02/2024 05:49

OP in the long term its better for you not to be with him, you will get someone way better who appreciates your nice qualities. He really sounds messed up, he kisses random girl and ends up drunk calling his ex. I am 40 and I know that some guys love women who behave poorly towards them, have seen live examples of it, some guys feel more sexually connected to these kind of women. There might be a chance that he is not over his ex or he still misses the "spark" he had with her. You don't deserve a person like him, you deserve much better. You mentioned that sex has decreased after you guys moved in together but it doesn't bother you as you don't have much of a sex drive anyway but would it be the same if you find someone with whom you have a real chemistry? I understand that at 27 you would want to have a partner which can materialise into marriage eventually but he doesn't seem the right choice.

whichwayisup · 20/02/2024 07:39

Well mr perfect just gets better and better.

What a charmer. So on the same weekend you get a message from his ex saying he's trying to phone her at 2am you find out he's snogging randoms. Probably not the actions of the happiest man in Britain.

He can tell you whatever you need/want to hear now he's full of regret. You need to therefore only deal with facts you know. They are... He called his ex gf at 2am on a night out, snogged a random, told you he wasn't happy in his relationship with you, didn't like spending 24/7 with you and wanted to leave. All in the same weekend.

I think you'll take him back. You aren't just splitting with him... Sounds like it's his whole family you are in a relationship with. Sadly your perfect will be a little less perfect and you'll know it's going to happen again and he'll know that you won't do anything about it. And that lack of connection will grow.

And I know you pride yourself on kindness and I love that but remember it's not kindness to be blind to someone's faults. That's just daft.

Durdledore · 20/02/2024 08:27

I’m like you, a very kind and compassionate person. I can see him through your words and I think, like a PP said, he’s a bit of mess right now. He’s not happy in his life, not getting what he needs (whatever that is) from this relationship and he’s a bit all over the place as a result - self-medicating with alcohol and precarious interactions with other women.

You can leave him with compassion and love to get on with working out want he wants in life whilst you draw a line under this for yourself and refocus yourself on yourself, your needs, your priorities in life.

Definitely go see the artist, go on the holiday and all that. Even if you have to go together due to him wanting to go too - but obviously as recently separated people.

He’ll hopefully sort his life out at some point. But you - you’re going to be fine.

Carry on being you, you sound spot on.

kkloo · 20/02/2024 09:20

He still swears that the ex was just a misdial / pocket dial. I believe this now because, him kissing someone is so much worse than that, he would have just told me that too.

That doesn't add up, what are the chances of him accidentally dialing the ex the day before he kissed someone else?
And he knew you wanted to talk about him phoning the ex on the Saturday but by the time you'd got home he was already back out drinking.

He's lying.

Indifferentchickenwings · 20/02/2024 09:39

OP
remember that broken hearts heal
this relationship ending is NOT going to break you , just bruise you badly

he’s clearly got some issues and things circling his head with the Ex

for your own sanity I’d take him at his word and assume this is a total break

cancel plans and keep a distance

don’t let him circle round him and his ex
be strong and cut him off x

Ulysees · 20/02/2024 09:48

I don't think you'll ever be able to trust him again. I'd make a total break.

And go to the concerts. Go on holiday without him. Take someone or go alone.

Ulysees · 20/02/2024 09:52

whichwayisup · 20/02/2024 07:39

Well mr perfect just gets better and better.

What a charmer. So on the same weekend you get a message from his ex saying he's trying to phone her at 2am you find out he's snogging randoms. Probably not the actions of the happiest man in Britain.

He can tell you whatever you need/want to hear now he's full of regret. You need to therefore only deal with facts you know. They are... He called his ex gf at 2am on a night out, snogged a random, told you he wasn't happy in his relationship with you, didn't like spending 24/7 with you and wanted to leave. All in the same weekend.

I think you'll take him back. You aren't just splitting with him... Sounds like it's his whole family you are in a relationship with. Sadly your perfect will be a little less perfect and you'll know it's going to happen again and he'll know that you won't do anything about it. And that lack of connection will grow.

And I know you pride yourself on kindness and I love that but remember it's not kindness to be blind to someone's faults. That's just daft.

Please listen to this OP 🙏

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