Search Results: should i text him back

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We met on a dating app—no, not Tinder—and he messaged me first. We talked for a few days and clicked fast. We’re both artists learning tattooing, traded art, hyped each other up, then moved to texting. He kept asking for selfies, calling me beautiful, and sending his back. He was cute, fit, tall enough without being towering, and covered in tattoos like me.

He wanted to hang out and hook up, but I needed childcare, so we planned for him to come over while my six-month-old napped and I monitored the baby the whole time. He even offered Starbucks and gas-station snacks, which I declined. When he arrived he hugged me, took off his shoes without being asked, admired my gaming setup, and cuddled with me on the couch. He complimented my hair, touched it gently, then kissed me. We hooked up and the chemistry was real—he was attentive, no awkwardness, very compatible.

Afterward we talked, and he said he’d probably come over again the next day. Before he came over I’d warned him my ex’s belongings were still there in trash bags by the door. When he noticed them at the end of the night he tensed and said I should get rid of them. I agreed, and he relaxed. He hugged and kissed me goodbye. I noticed dimples I’d never seen in photos, told him they were cute, and he abruptly said goodnight.

The next day he barely replied. Then out of nowhere he texted, “I think I’m gay lmao.” I couldn't tell if he was kidding. He said he was serious and had been thinking about it. I noticed he’d unmatched me on the app. I respected it but asked if this was just him disappearing after sex. He said it wasn’t about me, just stuff in his head. I told him if he ever figured things out he could text me. He promised he would and sent a black heart. We haven’t spoken since.

I’m 25, he’s 27, and I’d just left an abusive relationship. I wasn’t naïve—just enjoying my freedom. Still, the whole thing doesn’t make sense.

My best friend (WHO HAS A BOYFRIEND) of 6-7 years kissed a guy i used to hook up with.
Background
The guy and I had a horrible falling out, he said awful things and never apologized for them. My best friend has seen me cry over this guy. A year later he comes back to hanging around the friend group. I have a boyfriend now and i love him so much. The guy came up to me and said “we are cool” even though he never apologized so of course I hate him. He also tries so hard to become friends with my boyfriend, but of course he isn’t having it.
I just recently threw a party for my boyfriends birthday. The guy ended up showing up because of the mutual friends we have. Of course my boyfriend and I did everything in our power to avoid him all night, and he would still try and talk to me.
When I was dealing with a drunk person during the party my friend and the guy went to go get food. She got in his car!!! Of course it's the one time I wasn't in the room. Like an hour later they come back into the party with food, then my friend comes and stands next to me and doesn't say anything. There's also a chance they went to the bathroom together. The next day I ask her what happened and she admits that they kissed. She claimed she shut him down but then immediately contradicts herself with her next text. This is not the first time she has displayed “pick me” behavior
I guess it's just never been this bad. Her boyfriend emotionally cheated on her a month or 2 ago and ever since then she has been manipulating him. I also maybe feel sometimes she might be jealous of me, not on no cocky stuff.

The cheating aspect aside, do we think I should or. Ever can forgive her. Should jus let that bridge burn no matter how long we have been friends?