But guess what? He doesn't hate me.

So I realized i never explained what happened to Ryan.

Its a happy story.
No, we're not going out.

But guess what? He doesn't hate me.

Okay, he did at first. For like a month. But that's so short.

After Matt, I gave up and at 1 am sitting in my truck, I asked Ryan if it was okay that we were still friends, and if he was happy with the way things were.
There was a really long silence.
Then he said "i guess."
then he said "geez, its late. I better go."

And then i didn't hear from him for a month.

i thought he was vanished forever.

But guess what? He doesn't hate me.

And eventually, he got over everything and texted me "hey, we're long overdue for a hang out!"

and it was lovely. and we went out. and we talked. and we had a geniunely good time together. And now, its been 2 months. and we still talk. In fact, we talk more freely and comfortably now. I'm even helping him through a new girl (who might be a bit more receptive to him than I was...).

So yeah. He doesn't hate me. This doesn't always have to bite.
But maybe that's just cuz it was Ryan. He's a good guy.