Dating a player? I know the logical answer is to avoid it or to get out before you put your heart on the line. But sometimes, dating and relationships cause us to do illogical things.
I met this guy in grad school a few years ago at a social event, but we lost touch due to our busy schedules. But of course, we added each other on Facebook but never really kept in touch. Then it so happened that we ran into each other again before school ended...of all places, the library where we were cramming for exams. He asked me out on a date. At first, I hesistated because I knew he had a reputation for being a partier and player. His facebook pictures and wall of women don't do anything to prove that wrong either. I normally don't date those types, but I decided to go out of curiosity on what makes him so attractive to us girls. But when I got to know him better, I realized that he wasn't like what I had assumed him to be. At least not yet. He talked about his career and future goals. I wasn't like the usual girls he hung out with either. I could tell because he kept describing me as "cute, innocent, and makes him laugh." I teased him about him trying to pull out his classic moves and pick up lines because I had already decided that I wasn't going to fall for him. We are only similar with respect to our (future) career. Since we hit it off pretty well, we had several more dates after that to the point where we saw each other everyday for the past week. It didn't always involved going out but staying home and cooking, watching movies, and jogging together. So yes, he's seen me in the sweaty, unglamarous way. But it was funny seeing him act akward and even shy like a schoolboy around me.
Anyways, I was trying to look for signs that he might be playing me. We both call and text each other. When we are on dates, he turns off his phone or won't pick up if his friends call. He's always on time to pick me up. If he says he'll call or promises to be there for something, he will. But the thing that sends red flags to me is that he is at ease already with hands around my waist and interlocking hands. Or maybe I just have my guards up? He's already acknowledged that we are dating and asked if I'm ready to meet his friends yet. But he said that since it's only been a few months since his 2yr relationship with his ex, he wasn't ready for a relationship yet. So he warned that his friends might misunderstand that I am his girlfriend. According to him, his ex dumped him because she was fed up with the fact that he had a lot of female friends to go clubbing with. I guess she felt like she had to "share" him with a lot of girls. But ironically, the ex is now dating his best friend. I'm not looking for a future husband either but at least I want to date, knowing that there's potential of becomeing an exclusive relationship. He teases me that I am mysterious and discreet. I do talk about myself but right now, I am cautious because I don't want to get hurt.
I just can't understand why his female friends (who already have boyfriends) find the need to always ask him to come out clubbing with them and call all the time. And if he always have company, why is he singling me out? Or is it because it's summer so maybe he's just bored? Should I walk away from this or should I give him the benefit of the doubt? And is he really a player at all? (I know that people don't change so once a player always a player...)
Thanks!