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Dilemma

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Dusty Bin | 18:53 Fri 16th Feb 2007 | Relationships & Dating
18 Answers
I was seeing a lad (I'll call him Rob) for over 2 years but last October he decided we should finish as he thought my idea of getting a place together was not what he wanted. I've never felt as serious about anyone before and was upset when things finished.

After a short while I started going out with another fella (I'll call him Mike) that I had met a few times when out with some of my mates. He is gorgeous - super fit - and quite a nice guy too.

Now Rob has found out about Mike and wants us to give things a second try. Much as I like Mike, I was seeing Rob for over 2 years, never wanted it to end and so agreed to meet up a few weeks ago. We ended up back at his house and now I'm seeing Rob again some nights while still seeing Mike others. Rob admits he made a mistake finishing me and now wants us to live together and even get engaged, which is what I wanted last year!

I've told Rob I'll finish things with Mike but every time I try to when I'm with Mike I just can't bring myself to. I think I like him too much. Now Rob's getting impatient and thinks I'm messing him about, but it isn't it Mike I'm cheating on? Mike doesn't know I've starting seeing Rob again but on Wednesday night asked why I don't spend as much time with him as I was and why I don't ring him as much either.

What should I do? I'm 27 and I'm afraid I'm going to lose them both.
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You probably will if you carry on. You just have to make a choice. Will Rob do the same thing again once he has you to himself. Is it a case of I didn't want you but I don't want anyone else to want you? Rob finished with you for a reason. You don't dump someone after two years because they wanted to move in with you. You explain your reasons for not wanting to and carry on with the relationship.

I'd go for Mike....
Question Author
ummmm,

Thank you.

Mike's working for a local finance company on a short term contract until the end of the year. He's living in digs at the moment and says when he finishes his work in December his plan is to move back home. Much as I like him, and he likes me, I'm afraid he's just using me for a bit of fun and company while he's his job here.

I have asked Mike about whether he'd like to ge a place with me - I still live with my mum and he with his landlady so we've only any privacy when she's out. Mike says we could both get hurt, if we get too involved, when he has to move back home.

Rob, however, lives in the next town, but works for the same firm I do, albeit in a different department and has no plans to go anywhere. I know he'll still be about if Mike does indeed decide to move back home in December.

I don't want to stop seeing Rob because, if and when Mike does move away, he may have found someone else by then and I couldn't face seeing him with someone else after being with him for so long. I never wanted him to finish it in the first place.
You have to ask yourself why Rob changed his mind. If it was simply because of the appearance of some competition then the chances are he will go back to his old situation when the threat is gone.

Sounds like Mike is the better bet tbh. Am curious what you told Mike though when he asked you, it sounds like he's getting a bit posessive. This might just be because of the sudden change in you. Us guys are easily unsettled by that kind of thing and will very often start feeling insecure.
Question Author
sarnieken,

I too fear what's going to happen with Rob if I do end it with Mike. He could well lose interest in me again once the challenge has gone, but at least I know he'll still be around if Mike does decide to move back home at the end of this year.

I think maybe Mike's considering staying but he hasn't said as much yet.

I didn't really know what to say to Mike when he asked me, but I suppose he must have noticed we don't spend as much time together nowadays. I wanted to go out with Rob on Wednesday for Valentine's but Mike asked me first and how could I say no? I hoped Rob would understand that he had to give me more time but he said if I chose not to be with him on Valentine's night then maybe he wouldn't be there for me next time I want to see him.

I still want Rob, he's much easier to be with(usually). I can be myself more with him but he's now putting pressure on me to finish with Mike and when I'm with Mike I just can't bring the subject up. I don't want to lose him. What should I do?
From reading all that you have written, I think you've already made up your mind... may seem confusing, but you seem to know deep down what you want, you just don't want to ruin friendships and break hearts. I've been in similar situations, but in the end, I've listen to my heart and I haven't looked back. If you ask me, you yearn for 'Rob'. Good luck in the making of your decision. Don't go doubting how you feel, if you know deep down who you feel more strongly for. Make the choice that's right for YOU :-)
Have to agree with CactusButtus, despite the strange name. :) (Get some cream on it)

Valentine's day is a pants day in your situation because you're expected to be with your fella and when there are two it makes it more difficult.

If Mike is 'going home' at the end of the year then it kind of gives you a timetable to work from.
As I see it, you have perhaps two choices. Bear in mind these are my own interpretations and you should make your own mind up.
1: Tell Rob that you need more time and that you should both go and find other people for the time being. At the end of the year, when Mike goes, see if you still feel the same about Rob and see where he is then. By then you both may have met someone else, with whom it will work better.

2: Let Mike go as he won't be here at the end of the year and it seems you are yearning for Rob, maybe because he is more familiar. If you do that that though, he must understand the reasons you are going back to him. Set yourself a time limit, perhaps the end of summer or something and decide where YOU want to be then. If Rob's still being a tool about commitment and everything he promised, you know he wasn't sincere and you have only lost a few months. Don't tell him about the time limit though as he will just rush into things and end up doing them for the wrong reason.

Hope that makes sense, I haven't had coffee yet.
Good luck
Question Author
Cactus Buttus,

You're right I think I've made up my mind, but I've known Rob for nearly 3 years, got to know him really well and got to know some of his mates too, whom I do not get on with at all. When we were together he was always asking his mates round or going out with them. He even went on holiday with some of them and I wasn't invited.

He keeps telling me he did make mistakes and wouldn't do the same again, but I cannot be sure can I?

l know I have to finish Mike if I am to try again with Rob, but when I see Mike I just can't address the issue - I love being with him - he's gorgeous!

sarnieken,

You're right too - I was dreading Valentine's instead of looking forward to it. My sister thinks I'm terrible for seeing two lads at once, but it not easy and is doing my head in!

I don't think I could go with your first suggestion - I couldn't bear to know Rob's seeing someone else let alone see him out with someone. That would devastate me I know.

Your second idea is what I'm trying to do. I hadn't thought about a time limit like the end of the summer. What if I'm not happy at the end of it? No way could I finish Rob and be single again especially since Mike will still be around until December. That's if I've managed to finish him, which as I said, I just can't do! How do I tell Mike we have to finish? He doesn't know about Rob. I don't want Mike to hate me.
Before you decide how you're going to let someone down, you need to decide firstly which one you're going to do it to.
If you're going with option 2 then you need to tell Mike asap.

How long have you been with Mike? If it isn't long then just tell him that the relationship isn't going how you thought it would. That you just don't feel for him the way you thought / hoped you would and that it would be better to not carry it on and lead him on. Also, you could tell him that, because he is going home at the end of the year you want to end it before it gets too serious as it will be painful to end it then, that you are staying where you are and not interested in going with him (If he asks). I'm presuming he is your age or at least near it; if so, he's a big lad and will be able to handle it.

Regarding Rob, If you dont set yourself a target then you may end up down the line in the same situation.
If he is true to his word then he will have at least done one of the things he has promised by then, if not all of them.
If he hasn't done any of them by then he has slipped back into his comfortable position as he knows there isn't any challenge any more.

Hope this helps,
K x
Question Author
sarnieken,

Yes option 2 as you put it is what I'm trying to do, but I can't!

I met Mike last spring, met him again in the autumn and became more friendly from then on. I didn't start seeing him until after Rob had finished me which was in October. I'd be lying if I told him the relationship's not going as I thought it would, cos it is. It's just that I didn't expect Rob to want me back, I thought that was over!

I want to tell Mike I think we should finish because we could both get hurt when we have to break up because he's moving back home in December, but when I'm with him we have too much fun that I don't want to start talking about heavy stuff. I'm still not convinced he'll go; he may stay, perhaps? By the way he's 26; I'm only just 27, and yes, he's a big lad - 6ft 2in.

Even if I do get around to finishing it with Mike, and set myself a target with Rob, even if he doesn't meet it, I can't foresee myself finishing him, especially as I'll have lost Mike by then already. I don't want to lose them both.

I don't want to ask Mike if he's definitely moving back home in case he tells me that he is. How can I persuade him to stay? Then I don't have to take a gamble with Rob.

Do I only want to finish it with Mike because Rob's telling me I have to? What would Mike say if he found out I'm seeing Rob again?

My sister says I should never have started seeing Rob again after the way he treated me but I never wanted it to finish with him in the first place. I wanted to move in with him last year but he wan't interested, now he says he is. I don't know what to believe. I think he's genuine. How can I tell?
Hi Dusty Bin,

It sounds like, to me, that you are simply trying to avoid being alone and not have a boyfriend at all - someone is better than no one and so you are trying to go for the 'safest option' rather than the 'right' option.

Forget everything, forget the fact that Mike may or may not go 'back home' in December (where is 'home', by the way?). You could stick with Mike and split up in a year or two. You could go back to Rob and it may not work.

What do you want NOW? Stop thinking about the future, the if's, but's and maybe's. Keep to the facts, to the present. Do you want to go out with Rob or Mike, regardless of what may or may not happen tomorrow, next week or next year. Nobody knows what the future holds.

You also have to think of Mike's feelings. I am sure if he knew you were seeing Rob and having these thoughts - he would make the decision for you.

You want to give it another go with Rob. Then do it. You want to try it with Mike then do it. Just be honest with them and with yourself.

I personally would let them both go. I am a firm believer that if you truely want to be with someone, then you would know straight away. You, I feel, just don't want to end up with nobody.

Be strong, make a decision, it may work, it may not. x
Question Author
Amber,

You're right : I don't want to be alone, I'm 27 now and still haven't settled down. Don't you think it's time I should?

I could split up with Mike in a couple of years or I could split up with Rob...again...I know, and I am trying to make a decision for now but at my age I have to think about the future as well.

And yes I dread to think what Mike would say if he found out about Rob. I don't even want to think about it.

Mike's from Corsica, by the way. Why do you ask?
You are keeping your foot in the door instead of closing it which tells me you don't want it really. He had his chance with you and did not give you what you want, now you have a fun life the pressure is off him and he wants you again until the point the pressure is on. My advice close the door girl and move on he can't commit never will and will keep you hanging on. Go find someone who will give you everything you need you haven't found him yet but he is out there.
Dont' let Rob have you with the snap of the fingers & you go running!..I think the better bet would be Mike because you never know if Rob is capable of doing the same again as last time in respect of letting you down & also if you rush into things too fast with getting engaged & moving in together again straight away with Rob, that could ruin things between you too.

Whoever you go for- im sure there a very lucky man hehe!
& as chessy as it sounds id follow your heart & go for what you think- cos' after all we can all give out advice & what we think but only YOU know whats best for yourself!
GoodLuck x
Dusty Bin,
'Tis a hard choice you are faced with. But, to put it plain and simple, Mike is leaving at the end of the year, you've known Rob much longer. What you have to ask yourself is, which are you better off trying a 'proper' relationship with, and why. It's the famous 'pros and cons' approach...
There is nothing wrong with being 'harsh' in the ways of your choosing... this is YOUR life.
I know you've said that the pair don't know about each other... well, this could be a problem because one day, they will and it may not be your fault at all. My advice to you is, tell both of them the truth. Think about it from their perspectives... if you were them and found out that there was 'competition', how would you feel? As I've said before, I've been in similiar situations but after doing what I have stated above, I made the right choices and in one instant, the minute I made my choice I discovered that the guy I didn't pick was a complete and utter drop-kick anyway... what you need to discover is both Rob and Mike's TRUE colours... the way they react shall determine how 'real' they really are. :-)
Good Luck!
Jaymee-Lee
Question Author
Thank you, lounurse, Abbii-x and CactusButtus/Jaymee-Lee,

Sorry for not responding sooner - I spent the weekend at Rob's house. His mum's away and Mike was also away meeting up with someone down in London that's over from Corsica. He came back tonight and I haven't rung him. It's probably too late now and I don't really want to tell him where I've been all weekend if you know what I mean!

Abbii-x,

The problem is I don't know who I want. I thought I wanted Mike but whenever he's away or busy I just ring Rob and he's always only too keen for me to go up to his when his mum's away and we can have the place to ourselves.

lounurse,

Strange as it might seem, having two boyfriends, my life's not much fun right now, and it's Rob who's putting the pressure on. Right now I think it's him that I want, but then I've spent the weekend with him and Mike went away to see his mate.

CactusButtus,

Sorry, I didn't say that they both don't know about each other. I said Mike doesn't know about Rob. Rob certainly knows about Mike and in fact only got back in touch with me once he'd found out about Mike. Before that he didn't seem that interested.

I was wanting to get a place with Rob, but he didn't want that until he found out about Mike. Now he does want it and Mike doesn't, but Rob won't get anywhere with me until I finish Mike which he says I should've done by now.

Should I finish Mike and how do I tell him if I do?

Dusty Bin - I apologise for my misunderstanding... I recall writing that reply really really late at night, or really really early in the morning... would seem my eyes don't work properly been the hours of 11pm and 5am.
Yes, I think you should end it with Mike. It would probably be best to explain your situation to him and let him know that Rob exists... Mike is sure to at least keep in touch with you if he is the 'genuine article' he appears to be. I hate to say it, but from what you have said, I have a feeling he is the kinda guy that is just after a bit of a 'fling' so to speak. But, in all honesty, I hope my instincts are incorrect. I may feel the way I do because I have been in plenty of these situations myself.

Cheers,
Jaymee-Lee
All I can do is remind you of story of the dog carrying a bone in his mouth who looked in the water and saw a reflection of another bone. Seeing it, he opened his mouth to grab it and lost them both.

Which bone do you want the most? Why not have a brief break from both of these guys to try and sort out the confusion in your mind. Perhaps the right answer is that neither of them are totally suitable for you and the question you should be asking yourself is not "Which one?" but "Why should it be either of them?".

I suspect you're getting an attack of "I'm 27 and if I don't make a decision now I'm going to be left on the shelf"

Why not spend some time without either of them and see if this can unjumble your thoughts in your mind.
You would not want to lose both� then do you think only you have the choices thre for choosing?

The one who is back will be the same as before again when there is no competition, or not; The one you give up will be back again someday, or may not.

Who can guarantee your future except you know what you live for with those you like that depends on what belief for living you have taken time to have it understood.

Work best for every relationship and try to go what is possible to you. And, the guys do so for themselves.

You may think it is your choices there, meanwhile you are also being chosen or not from how each other are reacting.

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