Have you ever been on a date with a man who’s supposedly into you, but somehow his eyes are clocking someone else’s every move?
You know the look. That sideways glance to see if his ex just walked in. The too-loud laugh. The sudden display of PDA that feels more like a performance than affection.
It’s not love.
It’s not interest.
It’s an audition.
And guess what? You’re the prop.
The “Jealousy Olympics” Are in Town
Here’s the real playbook of this dude:
1. Bring a woman (you) out in public
2. Spot an ex, old flame, or girl he wanted but never got
3. Put on a whole damn show
4. Keep glancing to see if she’s watching
5. Later deny he even noticed her
It’s not a coincidence. It’s choreography.
And let’s be honest—he didn’t suddenly start acting extra affectionate because he just felt it.He was playing to an audience.
The Worst Part? The Gaslight Follow-Up.
You bring it up later, calmly.
You explain what you noticed. The lingering looks. The shift in his energy. The showboating.
And what do you get?
“What? I didn’t even see her.”
“You’re overthinking it.”
“You’re being insecure.”
Oh okay, so your man just accidentally turned into a whole Broadway performance the moment she walked in?
Cut the lights. The show’s over. We see it.
This Isn’t About Insecurity. It’s About Disrespect.
Here’s what emotionally secure men do when someone from their past walks in:
Nothing.
They stay present. They stay engaged. They don’t use your time and energy as bait in a cheap attention trap.
But men who never grew out of their middle school mindset? They turn dating into a power game. And women—yes, that includes you—are just pawns to boost their ego.
If he was truly over her, he wouldn’t be trying to get under her skin.
What’s Really Going On
This kind of man isn’t looking for love. He’s looking for validation.
He needs to feel wanted—even if it’s from someone he doesn’t actually want anymore.
So he’ll play pretend with you to get a reaction from her. And when you notice?
He’ll act like you’re crazy, jealous, or needy for saying the obvious thing out loud.
That’s not a man in a relationship. That’s a child in a costume.
What You Should Know (And Do)
1. Don’t gaslight yourself.
If your gut says something’s off, trust it. You’re not imagining the shift in his behavior.
2. Stop justifying it.
You’re not “too sensitive.” You’re just not willing to play a role in his sad little soap opera.
3. Hold him accountable.
You don’t need an apology as much as you need honesty. If he’s not willing to talk about it, he’s not ready to be in a real relationship.
4. Ask yourself a hard question:
Why are you accepting a seat at a table where you’re being used as bait?
Bottom Line:
If a man needs an audience to show up for you, he’s not actually showing up for you.
He’s performing for someone else—and hoping you won’t notice.
But you did. And now you have a choice.
Don’t fight for center stage in someone else’s ego trip.
Exit the theater.
Until next time,
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