I have been seeing a new guy recently, who is 12 years older than me. He is awesome in every way, and I have developed some feelings for him. He is starting to fall for me, and although we are not exactly together, because we are trying to take it slow, I already have found myself trying to figure out how I am going to get out of this relationship. 1 reason is because I don't see myself being with him forever, and I don't want to deal with my family's controlling issues if and when they find out I'm seeing a guy this old. 2 is because me and my "ex" have a difficult and complicated relationship. We dated briefly in high school, and snuck around for a while. Mostly we have sort of a sexual relationship, but not actual sex.
I have been in love with him for 6 years, and he knows this. We are good friends, however he messes with my head sometimes. He likes me too, but has a fear of getting too close. He'll ask me on dates and then not call. Lately, I was starting to make a little progress with getting closer to him, then I started blowing him off for this new guy I am seeing because I was afraid of missing a chance with a good guy. However, now I am feeling extreme guilt, I know that if I get with this new guy, I would leave him if my ex wanted me. I know it is pathetic but I know myself.
"I know that if I get with this new guy, I would leave him if my ex wanted me."
It was a little confusing your 2nd paragraph but you blew your ex off. Now it's your turn to re-pursue him as I'm sure he's fed up with getting blown off ( ahaha).
Like you've said, Emotionally you want the new guy, Intellectually you know the ex is better. So how have making decisions emotionally treated you?