AITA for exposing my cheating boyfriend to all his family and friends?

I (19M) have been dating my boyfriend Will (19M) for around 8 months now.

We met on campus during the first week of both of our freshman year and we made it official 2 months later.

Will swiftly became my favorite person, and I can’t imagine my life without him. Even so, Will is a very closed off person who doesn’t like to share much about his childhood, so I've learned to stop asking such things.

He also has this “best friend” Michael (19M) who Will seems to hold in much high regard.

They have three weekly phone calls (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 5pm on the dot) that have messed up multiple date nights for us.

It always goes somewhat like this. “Hey Will! I finally got us those reservations for that restaurant we have been dying to try!” “Great!” He’ll reply. Fastly followed by “When?” “Wednesday at 6:30” I’ll state. That's when he breaks out his “sad bunny eyes.” “Oh… I can’t Wednesday. You know I’ll be on the phone with Mike then.”

At first I tried to argue, saying that I’m sure Michael wouldn’t mind missing one phone call, or stating that this reservation is more important, but Will always declines saying how “sad it’ll make Mike” or how they “have something very important to discuss that day that simply cannot be rescheduled.”

After this back and forth happened for a third time I realized it wasn’t worth the energy anymore and learned to start scheduling around these “phone calls.”

Our relationship has been going pretty strong (or so I thought) and this month he finally invited me on a trip to his home town to meet his family and friends.

Will has gone home for every single holiday since school started. Five months into dating, I asked Will if it would be ok for me to tag along with him for spring break. I had yet to meet his family or any of his childhood friends (including Michael) so I was rather eager. He quickly brushed off the subject and bluntly told me the “timing wasn’t right” so I dropped it until further notice.

Then summer rolled around. Will was planning to go stay with his mother and step father all summer so naturally I brought up me coming with, even if it were just for a week. I couldn’t fathom not seeing my boyfriend for over three months so I was playing a bit desperate.

At first I suggested staying with him all summer. That was quickly shut down. I then asked for a month which was once again, quickly shut down. We lightly argued over this subject for a few short days before he eventually agreed to one week. Fourth of July weekend.

I understandably was very excited at this opportunity. We had been pretty serious for almost eight months and I was ready to meet all these people Will seems to be very fond of. When the week finally approached I was scared out of my mind but the thought of seeing Will again trumped all my worries. It was going to be the perfect weekend, or it was up until Will pulled up to pick me up at the airport.

I spotted his car almost instantly. His light blue 1989 Buick Lesabre was easy to spot from the small Hawkins airport. Will pulled around and rolled down his window “You can put your bags in the back.”

I was slightly taken aback, yeah sure I wasn’t exactly expecting Will to run out of the car and put my bags away for me, but I was awaiting at least a kiss, even a hug would suffice. But no, not even as much as a hello. Straight to the point like he was booked and busy and I was just a roadblock in his way.

It’s not even that that truly upset me. What upset me was when I went to sit in the passenger seat next to Will. I tried to unlock the car door to find it sealed shut. The window rolled down and somebody else was occupying the seat. “Backs open.” The man stated stalely. Swiftly before I could even get a word out the man rolls back the window and says not another word. I pile in the back quietly and look at Will.

“Carlton this is Mike” Will says to me. And oh, I should’ve known. Looking at him more clearly now, it was obvious this was the Michael. Will only had about 20 photos with him around his dorm.

“Hello Michael, I’m Carlton” I reached my hand out in grace and was met with a flat “Hey.” Will pulls out of the pickup lane swiftly and begins the drive home.

Awkwardly I tried to start a conversation. “So, this is where you grew up huh?” I say looking around. “Yep.” Will states flatly. And that was it, no more attempts to make conversation. No “How was your flight?” or “How has your summer break been so far?” not even a simple “Missed you.”

After ages of what felt like the most awkward car ride ever, we finally pulled up to what I assumed was Will's childhood home. It’s not like he was talking to me telling me about the one time he “skinned his knee on that sidewalk” or how he “learned how to ride a bike on that street.”

Once we pulled into his driveway I was left to my own devices to grab my bags and let myself indoors.

Upon entry Will’s mother Joyce was there ready to greet me. “Hello Carlton! Welcome to Hawkins.” she said while softly shaking my hand. “Hi Joyce, I’ve heard so much about you.” At that she smiled tightly and looked to her left. “Would you like me to show you to your room?” “Sure,” I replied quickly.

Expecting to be taken to Will’s room I followed tightly as Joyce scurried around the house. Once we reached the bedroom I was met with a stale tight bedroom with nothing but a small twin sized mattress. “This is Will’s room?” I asked confused. “Oh! No, this is our guest bedroom.” Joyce said with a breathless forced laugh. “Oh, ok sorry, this is great. Thank you.” I replied, trying to smooth the tension.

“Of course,” she said quickly. “I’ll be in the kitchen if there's anything you might need!” Joyce swiftly turned on her heel before I could get much more out and left me be.

I didn’t see Will again until two hours later when he knocked on my door to tell me dinner was ready. I followed behind him quickly and oh, he was still here… Michael sat smugly on the left side of the dinner table seemingly eager to “dig in.”

Before I could get a word in, Will sat swiftly right in between Michael and Joyce, leaving me beside his step father, Hopper, and sister, Jane.

The dinner went surprisingly smoothly with Joyce taking over much of the conversation, asking me questions like “How are you enjoying college so far?” and "What's your family like?”

Once dinner was finished we all piled into the living room to watch a “Hoppers-Byers family favorite.” When the movie ended Will took my hand and led me back to the guest bedroom.

Thinking we were finally going to catch up I opened the door and sat softly onto the bed. Will hovered over me and quickly gave me a peck on the lips. “Goodnight Carlton.” Will said through a sly smile. Before I could get another word out he was already at the door. “G-goodnight Will!” I replied just as the door shut.

Confused and upset I changed into my pjs and quickly fell asleep.

The next day, the Fourth of July, wasn’t much different. With Michael still around, we all ate our freshly cooked breakfast and disbanded to quickly get ready for the day. The Wheelers (who I later on learned were Michael’s family) were hosting a Fourth of July barbeque, and we were leaving fairly soon after breakfast.

Still barely having gotten a word in with Will, I got ready in hopes of having time to spend with him before the big get together. Though halfway into getting dressed Michael started pounding onto my door. “We’re leaving now Carlton! Move it or lose it! Me and Will will be in the car!”

“O-okay one second!” I threw my shirt over my head and raced out the door to no surprise Michael sitting smug in the passenger seat.

Having accepted my fate I piled back into the back seat and sat quietly through the five minute ride.

When we arrived shockingly Will opened my door for me and took my hand. He showed me around the house and introduced me to all his friends before leaving me in the backyard.

Will said he had a few things to get from the car and that he’d be right back so I made myself comfortable and sat on one of the many lawn chairs.

I talked to Will’s friend Max for a while before I went to go look for Will. It had been a little over half an hour after Will had left me and I was starting to get a bit worried. How long could it really take to get a few things from the car anyways?

After walking around a bit I stopped to ask Michael’s little sister Holly if she had seen Will. “I’m pretty sure I saw him go into Mike’s room a minute ago.” She said with a mouth full of cupcake. “It’s the third door from the stairs if you’re looking.” She said, “Thank you Holly I’ll check” I said with a smile.

Making the trek upstairs I reached the third door and knocked softly. No answer. I knocked three more times this time with a bit more power again, to no avail. “Will?” I asked, while slowly pushing open the door. That's when I saw them.

Will and Michael, tongues down each other's throats, practically eating each other. “OH MY GOD.” I said quickly slamming the door.

Shocked, I ran downstairs expecting to be followed. But really with no surprise to anyone, no one followed me.

What the hell did I just walk into? How long has this been going on? Was I just cheated on?

I had no idea how to deal with this situation but I was angry, and I wanted to get back at the both of them, so I did the only thing I could think of on such short notice.

I ran outside into the middle of the party and shouted “I JUST WALKED INTO WILL AND MICHAEL MAKING OUT.” And I know, it’s not the best thing I could’ve done, but I was upset and I wanted some sort of support. But the reaction I got… Was the exact opposite.

“WOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!” Max screamed from my left. “NO WAY THEY FINALLY DID IT.” Will’s other friend Lucas shouts. “I always knew it would be the two of them.” Joyce says to herself. “Finally.” Michael’s older sister Nancy says.

Before anyone could say anything else I stormed back into the Wheeler’s house racing for the door when Michael grabbed my shoulder “Hey asshole! That’s not how I wanted everyone to find out!” Will stands behind the black haired boy blushing so hard you’d think he was going to explode.

I yanked my shoulder loose before raising my voice, “I’m done! You two deserve each other!” I turn fast and storm out the door.

Luckily the Wheelers lived close to the Byers so I made my way back to their house to grab my bags and leave.

I booked it to the nearest bus stop and from there got to the airport.

Anyways, am I the asshole for not letting my boyfriend and his “best friend” reveal their relationship the way they wanted? Or was I in the right?

Thanks for reading.

@sharknilla: Holy shit this is one of the best love stories I have ever read!!!! Please tell me Mike and Will are still together!!!!!

@cleradin: PLEASEEEEE WE NEED AN UPDATE ON WILL AND MIKE!!! HOW ARE THEY??

@lesbyler: you’re the asshole for getting in the way in the first place!!!!! it’s obvious Will has always been in love with Mike!!!!

@hellcali: dude i am so sorry this happened to you… totally NTA!!!! now i hate to be this person, but you got any update on mike and will? i’m kinda invested now…

@choppedcarlton: UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hello niche reddit community… sorry for keeping you waiting this long. It’s been ten years since all of this has gone down so it’s safe to say I have a few updates… Firstly, me and Will are on good terms. I would now even consider us friends. He reached out to me a few years back apologizing for everything that happened and thoroughly explaining the situation, so with his permission, I can give you guys your well deserved update. Mike and Will are in fact still together!! They started dating that July, leading to Mike transferring schools to be closer to Will, followed by three years later their engagement, soon after their wedding, and most recently the adoption of their daughter! I hope this update satisfies you all and I want everyone to know that there is truly no bad blood between me and the two of them! If anyone cares, a year after this… incident (if we should call it that) I met my later to be husband! So it really all worked out in the end. Thank you all for the support and I hope this is everything you hopped for.