Nathan sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his phone screen. The clock read 8:47 PM. Olivia was supposed to be here an hour ago. His stomach tightened as he read her latest text:
"Hey babe, Daniel is going through something. He really needs me right now. Rain check?"
He let out a slow breath, rubbing his temples. This wasn't the first time. It wouldn't be the last.
Nathan wasn't the jealous type. At least, that's what he told himself. He had no issue with Olivia having friends, even male ones. But something about Daniel always unsettled him. It wasn't just the closeness—it was the priority. Every time Olivia had to choose between him and Daniel, the answer was always the same.
Not tonight, babe. Daniel needs me.
Sorry, Daniel's having a rough time.
Hope you understand, love you!
He picked up his phone, his fingers hovering over the keyboard. Should he call her? Should he tell her that it hurt when she pushed him aside like this? That it felt like his feelings were always the ones being sacrificed?
But he already knew how that conversation would go.
"Are you seriously mad right now?"
"Nathan, he's just a friend. Do you not trust me?"
"You're being dramatic."
So, instead, he put the phone down and leaned back against the headboard, staring at the ceiling.
This was how it always was.
Love Shouldn't Feel Like a Test
Nathan and Olivia had been together for two years. At first, everything had been perfect. She was kind, ambitious, and passionate—everything he had ever wanted in a woman. She had a strong personality, which he admired, but lately, that strength felt like a wall.
She expected him to be patient, understanding, and gentle. When she had a bad day, he listened. When she needed comfort, he gave it. When she vented about work, he reassured her. And he was happy to do it—he wanted to do it.
But when the roles were reversed?
If he came home exhausted, she'd roll her eyes. "Babe, it's just work. Don't let it get to you."
If he was upset, she'd say, "Ugh, not this again. I can't deal with negativity right now."
If he asked for a little more effort, she'd call him "needy."
It was like she wanted all the care and devotion of a loving partner without having to give the same in return. And the worst part? Nathan was starting to believe that this was normal. That maybe this was just how relationships worked.
A Familiar Conversation
His phone buzzed again. A call from Eric.
Nathan answered with a sigh. "Yo."
"Lemme guess," Eric said. "She bailed?"
Nathan hesitated. "…Yeah."
A heavy silence. Then Eric sighed. "Man, how long are you gonna keep doing this to yourself?"
Nathan frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean. Olivia is never gonna treat you the way you treat her."
"That's not fair," Nathan muttered. "She's a good person. She just… doesn't always see it from my perspective."
"Bro." Eric's voice was firm. "She doesn't want to see it."
Nathan swallowed hard, gripping the phone tighter. He wanted to argue. He wanted to defend Olivia. But deep down, he knew Eric had a point.
"Look, I'm not saying she's evil or whatever," Eric continued. "But she doesn't respect you, man. You're always the one compromising, always the one putting in the effort. When's the last time she made you feel like a priority?"
Nathan opened his mouth, but no answer came.
"Exactly," Eric said. "You're out here giving 100%, and she's giving you whatever's left after Daniel, her friends, her job, her own moods. That's not love, bro. That's convenience."
Nathan felt something tighten in his chest. He didn't want to believe it.
"Listen," Eric said, his tone softer now. "I'm not telling you to break up with her. But you need to stop lying to yourself. If she really cared about you the way you care about her, you wouldn't be sitting here alone on a night she promised to spend with you."
The words hit harder than Nathan wanted to admit.
He glanced at the empty side of the bed—the space where Olivia should have been. The dinner he had made for her sat untouched on the counter. The night he had planned was wasted. Again.
And Olivia? She was out there, prioritizing someone else.
Nathan's grip on the phone loosened. For the first time, he wondered if he was holding onto something that had already let go of him.
Maybe love shouldn't feel this one-sided.
And maybe, just maybe—Eric was right.
Maybe it was time to stop waiting for Olivia to change.
And start valuing himself instead.