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Relationships

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Was he never really available, or was he just not that into me?

148 replies

CheeryGreenBear · 17/07/2026 10:41

I (33F) started seeing a man (43M). Right from the beginning, he told me he was going through a divorce. I knew he was still living with his wife and that they had a son (I'd rather not say his age, but he's under 10), and they hadn't told him yet that they were separating. Still, he told me he was single.
We agreed to get to know each other and see where things would go. He said he wasn't ready for a serious relationship. During the almost two months we were seeing each other, a lot happened, and it was really wonderful. We'd sit together on park benches, go for walks, have dinner together—the usual things. We'd spend hours talking, kissing, cuddling, and texting (sometimes about sex, but mostly just everyday things). We first slept together after about three weeks. It was amazing, and afterward he texted me saying that what had happened that day was really beautiful, that it had been an incredible way to relax, and that it had filled him with positive energy.
Things kept progressing. We opened up to each other, and in my opinion, it went far beyond flirting or something casual. We were genuinely happy together, and you could tell he felt the same way. One example: we'd spend two hours cuddling and kissing in bed, then he'd get up because he had to leave, only to say, "But I want one more kiss." :)
The only "issue" was that during the third time we had sex, he lost his erection. He told me he had a lot on his mind, couldn't relax, and was nervous about disappointing me. I told him he didn't have to prove anything to me, that I loved being with him, and that we'd just try to help him relax. He sincerely thanked me, and we moved on.
Then, about a week ago, everything changed. He took me out for dinner, and afterward we spent a long time kissing in the car, holding hands, and cuddling (he had no problem getting an erection just from that). Then we went back to my place. We had amazing oral sex, but when we were about to have intercourse, the same thing happened again.
This time, though, he said he didn't feel butterflies in his stomach anymore and that he didn't feel passion or excitement. Right there, in my bed, he ended things with me. It was a huge shock.
The next day we talked, and he opened up completely. He told me that he had been filling out the divorce papers that very day and had cried while doing it. He said he doesn't actually want the divorce, that he desperately wants his wife to come back so they can be a family again. He told me that almost two years ago, she said she didn't love him anymore, didn't want to be with him, and had already been seeing another man for quite some time—but he still hasn't given up hope.
He also told me that he didn't feel the same way with me as he had felt with his wife when they first got together 16 years ago, so he thought there was no point continuing. He didn't change his mind and walked away.
So my question is: was he telling the truth when he implied that he just wasn't attracted to me? Or is the real issue that he was emotionally unavailable because he still wasn't over his marriage?
Thanks for your thoughts.

OP posts:
MixedBouquets · 17/07/2026 12:46

CheeryGreenBear · 17/07/2026 12:43

Thank you guys. I stand by what I said about his marriage - it's definitely over. He didn't lie about that. I don't even think he lied to me when we first met, when he told me he was available. I believe he wanted to be...but realized he was not. I just miss him. He's a super kind and sweet man and he was honest with me. I know it's my fault that I started seeing him, but you know - if I give it time, if I give him time... and I honestly had no idea that he still loves his wife and his biggest wish is to save his marriage no matter what.

Edited

Respectfully, OP, there's over and there's 'over'. No one still living with their spouse and an unaware small child is done with that marriage on any level, and no wise person would get involved with them, however much they claimed it was definitely done and dusted.

KitsyWitsy · 17/07/2026 12:49

But he's still there, at the house. Is his finances so poor that he can't afford to stay somewhere else? I just couldn't tolerate it. I have been with someone divorcing too and told him from the start that if he wanted a relationship with me then he can never stay at the house with her again for any reason, ever. It cost him a lot of money but he still has me.

CheeryGreenBear · 17/07/2026 12:52

MixedBouquets · 17/07/2026 12:46

Respectfully, OP, there's over and there's 'over'. No one still living with their spouse and an unaware small child is done with that marriage on any level, and no wise person would get involved with them, however much they claimed it was definitely done and dusted.

I'm certainly not wise when it comes to romantic relationships. I'm just gullible.

OP posts:
Dery · 17/07/2026 12:54

"OriginalSkang · Today 11:13
Men his age don't generally come out of long term relationships and immediately want another. They want to sleep around and will tell lies if necessary to enable that
Don't bother with anyone in future who is less than a year out of a long term relationship"

@CheeryGreenBear - sorry you've had this experience. Heartbreak is a bastard though you probably already know it will pass. This isn't about you; it's about him.

But I think @OriginalSkang makes a really good point; and @CaffeinatedSeagull (who is a man and recently out of a long relationship) has confirmed it. I think most people (men and women) who are fresh out of a long relationship won't be in a rush to enter into a new long-term commitment (they may well want no-strings sex; that's a different matter). This man told you he wasn't up for more. His behaviour seemed to suggest different but for him, this was all against the backdrop of having told you he wasn't ready for something serious. I think your age gap was relevant here - at 33, you probably are ready for long-term commitment and that made you vulnerable to his apparent charms. He only wants that with his ex-wife and if he can't have it with her, he only wants to play at sex and romance with someone else. It's not you; it is him. Get busy and interested in other things.

CheeryGreenBear · 17/07/2026 13:00

KitsyWitsy · 17/07/2026 12:49

But he's still there, at the house. Is his finances so poor that he can't afford to stay somewhere else? I just couldn't tolerate it. I have been with someone divorcing too and told him from the start that if he wanted a relationship with me then he can never stay at the house with her again for any reason, ever. It cost him a lot of money but he still has me.

It's not about finances, it's about the son. He's nine (somebody wanted to know that, I don't know if it's relevant) and he's unaware of the situation. It seems almost impossible as his wife frequently visits her new partner and sometimes the son goes there with her, but I really don't know what a 9-year-old can understand. They never spend time together as a family anymore. But he wants their son to grow up in a house that he had built for his family. It's complicated.

OP posts:
Marleyandme71 · 17/07/2026 13:04

I'm thinking he is still married as in not getting a divorce. Did he show you any paperwork regarding the divorce? Sounds like he wanted a bit on the side, you've come along showing him signs your falling in love with him and he's panicking incase wifey finds out. Hence the e d problem. He's still with his Mrs!! Block and move on. Sorry don't mean too sound harsh, but it's the real talk on here that gets us through bull s#it.

CheeryGreenBear · 17/07/2026 13:08

Dery · 17/07/2026 12:54

"OriginalSkang · Today 11:13
Men his age don't generally come out of long term relationships and immediately want another. They want to sleep around and will tell lies if necessary to enable that
Don't bother with anyone in future who is less than a year out of a long term relationship"

@CheeryGreenBear - sorry you've had this experience. Heartbreak is a bastard though you probably already know it will pass. This isn't about you; it's about him.

But I think @OriginalSkang makes a really good point; and @CaffeinatedSeagull (who is a man and recently out of a long relationship) has confirmed it. I think most people (men and women) who are fresh out of a long relationship won't be in a rush to enter into a new long-term commitment (they may well want no-strings sex; that's a different matter). This man told you he wasn't up for more. His behaviour seemed to suggest different but for him, this was all against the backdrop of having told you he wasn't ready for something serious. I think your age gap was relevant here - at 33, you probably are ready for long-term commitment and that made you vulnerable to his apparent charms. He only wants that with his ex-wife and if he can't have it with her, he only wants to play at sex and romance with someone else. It's not you; it is him. Get busy and interested in other things.

Yes, it's just that there was no pressure, I wanted to give it time, but eventually, yes, my goal was a real relationship with this man. I can't get over the timing of the break up, everything was perfect, then no erection in the one moment when it was necessary and a minute after that - no butterflies, no passion, we're over. And that told me that he didn't even want the sex and cuddles with me.

OP posts:
CheeryGreenBear · 17/07/2026 13:13

Marleyandme71 · 17/07/2026 13:04

I'm thinking he is still married as in not getting a divorce. Did he show you any paperwork regarding the divorce? Sounds like he wanted a bit on the side, you've come along showing him signs your falling in love with him and he's panicking incase wifey finds out. Hence the e d problem. He's still with his Mrs!! Block and move on. Sorry don't mean too sound harsh, but it's the real talk on here that gets us through bull s#it.

I don't think so. Thanks for your message though, I appreciate the real talk.

OP posts:
KitsyWitsy · 17/07/2026 13:16

CheeryGreenBear · 17/07/2026 13:08

Yes, it's just that there was no pressure, I wanted to give it time, but eventually, yes, my goal was a real relationship with this man. I can't get over the timing of the break up, everything was perfect, then no erection in the one moment when it was necessary and a minute after that - no butterflies, no passion, we're over. And that told me that he didn't even want the sex and cuddles with me.

That’s an appalling way to treat someone you’re in bed with. Absolutely savage. He is no loss OP

Dery · 17/07/2026 13:16

"Yes, it's just that there was no pressure, I wanted to give it time, but eventually, yes, my goal was a real relationship with this man. I can't get over the timing of the break up, everything was perfect, then no erection in the one moment when it was necessary and a minute after that - no butterflies, no passion, we're over. And that told me that he didn't even want the sex and cuddles with me."

Yes. I have plenty of male friends (and indeed a few female friends) who have had their heart broken by women so I know women are as capable as men of causing romantic disappointment.

But I do think (perhaps @CaffeinatedSeagull will confirm or correct me!?) that men are particularly adept at compartmentalising their feelings in a way that I think women generally don't. So for a while, this guy was able to, sort of, play act being in a relationship - romantic dates, long meaningful talks, lots of kissing etc - and this obviously appeared to you as having longer-term romantic intent and meaning, whereas to this guy it really was just in the moment and a bit of romantic/sexy fun and had no deeper meaning. I think that is something men are generally more able to do than women.

It will take a while for your heart to catch up with your head but honestly I think if this had gone on longer this man would have messed you around and done your head in and you have dodged a bullet.

LlynTegid · 17/07/2026 13:18

I think you have had an escape for it to end on supposedly his terms. I am not sure he has told the whole truth.

Painful though it is.

dottiedodah · 17/07/2026 13:19

I feel for you ,I have no doubt he is a kind and sweet man .However hes not free. Its very difficult to come away from a marriage and child, and takes a long time to get over it.I think to chalk it up to experience and have fun with friends maybe a new man in time .Take it slowly and learn from this whole experience .

ThisCalmUmberCrab · 17/07/2026 13:30

CheeryGreenBear · 17/07/2026 13:08

Yes, it's just that there was no pressure, I wanted to give it time, but eventually, yes, my goal was a real relationship with this man. I can't get over the timing of the break up, everything was perfect, then no erection in the one moment when it was necessary and a minute after that - no butterflies, no passion, we're over. And that told me that he didn't even want the sex and cuddles with me.

I actually think that bit about the butterflies etc… was a defence mechanism on his part. He made you the problem rather than him not being able to perform. This explanation serves his ego better.

In time you’ll realise it was never going to work (age gap, young kid, divorce, finances etc…) and you’ll be relieved it didn’t.

Poppingby · 17/07/2026 13:32

I'm sorry you're hurting OP. Maybe he is a kind and sweet man. But for somebody to have oral sex with you and then - naked, presumably, in your bed - tell you he is not excited or passionate about you is cruel behaviour. Whatever his family circumstances. I'm not sure what 'having oral sex' means in this case but he was excited enough to have his knob in your mouth or his face in your foof wasn't he.

He was covering up for his erectile dysfunction in a very cowardly and cruel way, whatever the cause of it.

I am sorry to be so bald about it but until you recognise this and persist in believing in him as some kind of weeping good guy you are not going to get over him. He sounds like a grade A selfish twat tbh.

LilyDaisyRoseFern · 17/07/2026 13:42

The ED issue could be why his wife is leaving him (not saying that's a right or wrong choice on her part) and he probably wanted to see if it happened with other women too.....

CaffeinatedSeagull · 17/07/2026 13:46

CheeryGreenBear · 17/07/2026 13:08

Yes, it's just that there was no pressure, I wanted to give it time, but eventually, yes, my goal was a real relationship with this man. I can't get over the timing of the break up, everything was perfect, then no erection in the one moment when it was necessary and a minute after that - no butterflies, no passion, we're over. And that told me that he didn't even want the sex and cuddles with me.

The ‘no erection’ bit was a physical sign / confirmation to him that he wasn’t in the right headspace to carry on seeing you.

He probably panicked.

CheeryGreenBear · 17/07/2026 13:47

Poppingby · 17/07/2026 13:32

I'm sorry you're hurting OP. Maybe he is a kind and sweet man. But for somebody to have oral sex with you and then - naked, presumably, in your bed - tell you he is not excited or passionate about you is cruel behaviour. Whatever his family circumstances. I'm not sure what 'having oral sex' means in this case but he was excited enough to have his knob in your mouth or his face in your foof wasn't he.

He was covering up for his erectile dysfunction in a very cowardly and cruel way, whatever the cause of it.

I am sorry to be so bald about it but until you recognise this and persist in believing in him as some kind of weeping good guy you are not going to get over him. He sounds like a grade A selfish twat tbh.

I'm not saying I'm not angry with him. I am. And the only reason is what he did minutes after he gave me an orgasm. He also told me the day after, that when things don't work naturally between us (things = sex), it's better to end things and go looking for happiness somewhere else. That seemed cruel too...he blamed his ED on me and how am I supposed to feel now? I also think that he's being delusional. I'd say it's not going to work with anyone if he doesn't heal first.

OP posts:
CheeryGreenBear · 17/07/2026 13:51

CaffeinatedSeagull · 17/07/2026 13:46

The ‘no erection’ bit was a physical sign / confirmation to him that he wasn’t in the right headspace to carry on seeing you.

He probably panicked.

My words exactly. It was a break up in the heat of passion. It wouldn't have happened if he'd had a hard-on - and that's what's been killing me for the last few days.

OP posts:
TheCheekyDenimExpert · 17/07/2026 14:05

Only a fool breaks the 12-18 month rule.
It's generally not a good idea for men or women to date people not long out of relationships or still emotionally entangled.
That works both ways too.

People think emotional attachment disappears in an instant.
It doesn't.
Validation loops are real. As are emotional flashbacks.

SunflowerTed · 17/07/2026 14:05

hes put his erection issues onto you - where it is him with the issue. He’s emotionally unavailable and I think you fell in love with someone who isn’t available and still in love with his wife. In time you will get your confidence back. Block and heal. There won’t be any clear answers here. X

LilyDaisyRoseFern · 17/07/2026 14:07

CheeryGreenBear · 17/07/2026 13:51

My words exactly. It was a break up in the heat of passion. It wouldn't have happened if he'd had a hard-on - and that's what's been killing me for the last few days.

I think you have had some bad advice on here though well meaning

He can't possibly be a sweet guy who realised just that minute he is not over his wife yet, in bed with you

Because in that scenario, that nice sweet guy would never ever say 'I am not feeling passion and excitement' to pin the blame on you for his dick not performing. He would have said ' I am sorry I really am attracted to you, you are gorgeous, this must mean I am not over my marriage yet and tried dating too early...'

He just could not STAND the thought of you wondering about that lack of an erection of his and his instant blaming it on you as 'no attraction and passion and excitement' left you wondering if you had not been enough.

This guy comes across as very misogynistic and has probably had some experiences with women already leaving him or dumping him due to ED and he took out that trauma on you instead of dealing with it like an adult.

You made some poor decisions though, dating this guy with all the red flags in the first place and need to sort out your self esteem maybe?

LilyDaisyRoseFern · 17/07/2026 14:09

Men who have ED ....do end up hating women for it....

Not all ....but a good many

SunflowerTed · 17/07/2026 14:12

LilyDaisyRoseFern · 17/07/2026 14:07

I think you have had some bad advice on here though well meaning

He can't possibly be a sweet guy who realised just that minute he is not over his wife yet, in bed with you

Because in that scenario, that nice sweet guy would never ever say 'I am not feeling passion and excitement' to pin the blame on you for his dick not performing. He would have said ' I am sorry I really am attracted to you, you are gorgeous, this must mean I am not over my marriage yet and tried dating too early...'

He just could not STAND the thought of you wondering about that lack of an erection of his and his instant blaming it on you as 'no attraction and passion and excitement' left you wondering if you had not been enough.

This guy comes across as very misogynistic and has probably had some experiences with women already leaving him or dumping him due to ED and he took out that trauma on you instead of dealing with it like an adult.

You made some poor decisions though, dating this guy with all the red flags in the first place and need to sort out your self esteem maybe?

Totally agree.

CheeryGreenBear · 17/07/2026 14:16

LilyDaisyRoseFern · 17/07/2026 14:07

I think you have had some bad advice on here though well meaning

He can't possibly be a sweet guy who realised just that minute he is not over his wife yet, in bed with you

Because in that scenario, that nice sweet guy would never ever say 'I am not feeling passion and excitement' to pin the blame on you for his dick not performing. He would have said ' I am sorry I really am attracted to you, you are gorgeous, this must mean I am not over my marriage yet and tried dating too early...'

He just could not STAND the thought of you wondering about that lack of an erection of his and his instant blaming it on you as 'no attraction and passion and excitement' left you wondering if you had not been enough.

This guy comes across as very misogynistic and has probably had some experiences with women already leaving him or dumping him due to ED and he took out that trauma on you instead of dealing with it like an adult.

You made some poor decisions though, dating this guy with all the red flags in the first place and need to sort out your self esteem maybe?

I can't prove or disprove your hypothesis. He told me his wife left him because they drifted apart after their son was born and when he was building the house - allegedly she wasn't a family person etc. And she told him she didn't love him anymore. This happened two years ago. He told me he hadn't had sex with anyone since the breakup. That's what I've been told.

OP posts:
CaffeinatedSeagull · 17/07/2026 14:23

LilyDaisyRoseFern · 17/07/2026 14:07

I think you have had some bad advice on here though well meaning

He can't possibly be a sweet guy who realised just that minute he is not over his wife yet, in bed with you

Because in that scenario, that nice sweet guy would never ever say 'I am not feeling passion and excitement' to pin the blame on you for his dick not performing. He would have said ' I am sorry I really am attracted to you, you are gorgeous, this must mean I am not over my marriage yet and tried dating too early...'

He just could not STAND the thought of you wondering about that lack of an erection of his and his instant blaming it on you as 'no attraction and passion and excitement' left you wondering if you had not been enough.

This guy comes across as very misogynistic and has probably had some experiences with women already leaving him or dumping him due to ED and he took out that trauma on you instead of dealing with it like an adult.

You made some poor decisions though, dating this guy with all the red flags in the first place and need to sort out your self esteem maybe?

Blaming OP for the ED was him blame shifting rather than taking ownership (it’s more than likely a common default for him with his wife too).

Theres nothing ‘nice’ about that.

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