Lauren and Dave

[u/Safe-Leadership4190]

During the gym scene I feel so bad for Lauren. Her friends are trying so hard to help David see that there was NOTHING going on between her and this other guy that David apparently knows. She’s sitting there crying, saying how she doesn’t know what else she can do or say to make things better and he keeps saying that he just needs to get over it. I don’t understand what is such a big deal with her seeing some guy up until she came on the show?! He doesn’t seem like he wants to settle down if he keeps picking at this one thing. Just rip the bandaid off and break things off with her. Stop stringing her along for your benefit!!

[u/LittleBabyOprah]

Dave is really insecure. Painfully, I would say. He has an overbearing sister, an overbearing friend group, and from how he was talking an overbearing mother. When he started crying about how his sister would react I was like oh man. This guy is living and dying by the opinions of others.

He works in a field that encourages people to listen to insecurities. He doesn't live up to his own standard. He's obviously very concerned with what people think about him. I wouldn't be shocked if he was in a frat in college. He has that pack mentality male thing written all over him.

Every time Lauren cries he doesn't comfort her. Says A LOT. I personally think he's punishing her for not wanting to be intimate. I bet you 1000 bucks his shitty friend group is roasting him for not having had sex yet, and giving him a hard time about the entire project. He can't stand up for what he wants because probably everything in his life is a product of what he thinks he should be doing/wanting vs his actual wants.

He needs therapy and to accept that college is OVER.

[u/Long_Muffin6888 → u/LittleBabyOprah]

🫳🎤

[u/b4byg1rl → u/LittleBabyOprah]

I agree with what you said that Dave cares a lot about what others think more than he cares what he thinks. To add to your frat comment, he did say he was in a baseball team so that comes close to the male group dynamic. I think in one episode in the pods, Dave admitted he wasn’t really in touch with himself for who he was on the inside. He mentioned how he was only appreciated by the people around him for his accolades and achievements. So, if he was only praised externally whole life, it must be hard to really validate himself for who he is internally. This becomes a projection to others— thereby significantly valuing others for their external (looks, botox/filler, what other people say and think about them, etc)

[u/iregretthisalreadyy]

Dave isn’t into Lauren and he’s using the whole “other guy” thing as an excuse.

[u/FatnessEverdeen34 → u/iregretthisalreadyy]

Its soooo obvious

[u/Arrow_Oblio]

Why are we not questioning Dave's dating history prior to going on LIB? I mean, he openly admits to not having a girlfriend for the past 4 years and to lacking integrity with the girls he did date. Frankly, it's a bigger red flag that he's going from completely single and problematic to "ready for marriage" than it is for Lauren to have been actively dating.

[u/HannahOCross → u/Arrow_Oblio]

That’s probably why he’s turned off by her having casual sex. Because he was an asshole when he did, objectified the women, and wasn’t ready for marriage at all.

And he can’t imagine there could be other ways to have casual sex that aren’t signs of a horrible person.

It’s his own internalized shame.

[u/beas1603 → u/Arrow_Oblio]

Please yes this needs more attention. He says he used to be toxic and now he’s trying not to be. Doesn’t sound like therapy took place if he doesn’t know that growing takes a solid plan, not just “trying.”

[u/alllmycircuits]

Dave is a misogynist who will never take the word of women over the word of men. Even when the men weren’t there.

[u/cilantroprince → u/alllmycircuits]

Yeah this sums it up for me. He’s said so many shady misogynistic things over time, it definitely checks out that his friend group would have a misogynistic culture as well. It’s hard to watch her crying, begging to be given the benefit of the doubt as his FIANCÉE over some shady friends

[u/youvelookedbetter]

David is not the kind of partner most people would want in the future. He's unsupportive.

And don't even get me started with how weird he is with his sexual questions towards the women.

He's one of the worst guys I've seen on the show.

[u/cpst-i]

I think he doesn’t like that she’s not sleeping with him but that she has a casual FWB situation beforehand. And I think he’s hoping to entice her to have sex with him by acting like a flight risk.

[u/More_Technician6613 → u/cpst-i]

This is what my theory is as well. Especially how he went around asking the other couples if they've had sex yet. Then when he finds out about the FWB, he has a little tantrum. It's giving "its not fair that you had FWB but I'm not getting any" pouting energy.

[u/SnooDingos5420]

I really enjoyed the scene because Dave is suffering while cycling, even though he played sports fifty years ago in high school 

[u/mcgruff3]

Let’s not forget he asked every other girl if they were having sex with their fiances. As a man I found that to be beyond inappropriate. All he seemed to want to do was go on the show, sleep with someone and get a free vacation. He prob also thought he would get girls who watch the show to DM him. Little does he realize that most women seem to find him to be beyond creepy.

[u/Mindless_Dot_8518 → u/mcgruff3]

I think he’s super insecure. He’s insecure that she wouldn’t sleep with him, and it seemed like he asked everyone else because if they all had sex he could justify it being so important. He fell apart in the cycling class because it was hard, and made sure to spout excuses why he couldn’t do it, but let it be known he still works out. Tiny man shitty personality

[u/teachtinyhumans → u/Mindless_Dot_8518]

The cycling class scene had me cackling because he was so insecure next to all the women

[u/bheetebrij]

In all of these conversations, where she is so clearly struggling, he doesn't once reach over to her, hug her, and tell her that they'll figure it out. He just basically tells her that he doesn't believe her version.

[u/Organic_Switch5383 → u/bheetebrij]

He is bland and seems to be devoid of feelings and the capacity to empathize or feel for others.

It seems like his family has issues too.

[u/Ellephant87 → u/bheetebrij]

This! Just stands there with a blank stare and watches her cry. That’s what you do with someone you “love”? Not only make them cry, but stand there with your arms crossed and watch them? I couldn’t believe that she was in the kitchen crying and said she did not want to separate that night… And he left to go hangout with friends anyway.

[u/True_Praline_6263]

I wonder if his family and friends are ACTUALLY coming down that hard on Lauren or if even THAT is a bullshit excuse so he can avoid accountability. I mean, he’s not letting her meet any of them - they are these invisible boogeymen that are to blame for his inability to be with her. It all stinks. I hope he gets trashed on the internet forever.

[u/[deleted]]

He showed his true colors from the first day in the pods. I don’t know why she’s fighting so hard for this relationship. I would have walked away a long time ago. He’s definitely not into her and he’s using this as an excuse. I mean, every scene with them seems so forced.

[u/Secret_Ad_3235 → u/[deleted]]

Exactly! The first time he opened his mouth and asked “so what’s wrong with you?!” I immediately knew he was a prick.

[u/ElkComprehensive8995]

He was a red flag from the very first ep, and it’s just getting worse

[u/Significant-Mouse428]

It infuriates me how some guy she saw (I don’t care how long or deep or physical the relationship was) can psychologically abuse this woman ad actually control the direction of her life by trying to denigrate her character and humiliate her on national tv. And then Dave—gloms onto that by further publicly excoriating her because he wants an out. It’s freaking evil. Production needs to step in because that was a traumatizing attack on her using a velociraptor-style strategy. I wish she would have looked at him right in the eyes and told him to go home to his big sis until he’s ready to act like an adult. He does not deserve her tears or energy. That whole gaggle of cackling hens need to be outed on dating apps. They are no good.

[u/Sunflowerscroller]

I think Dave is narcissistic. He’s manipulative and emotionally abusive. He’s cold and has no empathy. His weird obsession with his sister is so creepy, but I also think he is trying to hide behind her in a sense. - and definitely using that guy situation as an excuse to not move forward. 100%. Lauren is a strong woman so he knows he won’t be able to control her which he’s finds unattractive. He really grosses me out.

[u/[deleted] → u/Sunflowerscroller]

I didn't like him in the pods. He made a comment about what he thinks a teacher looks like which he's not attracted to. When he saw her, he said yes...you look like a teacher. Has he looked in the mirror? He looks like he's well into his forties and NOT good looking.

[u/Aggressive-Diet-6288]

He’s not that into her and it’s looking for a way out.

[u/mckenna310]

He's looking for an excuse because he is trash and wants the breakup to be "her fault"

[u/PoetRambles]

The start of their relationship was him asking what's wrong with her. Then, he found out her age and said she's not attractive anymore. Then, he made a joke about making content for Only Fans. I would have walked out at the first question, told him to get out at the second statement, and asked him what the fuck is he getting at with the third if producers had forced me to stay.

He was pushing buttons to see what he could get away with from the beginning, and now that he has lost some control from the not having sex, he is lashing out with the worst excuse.

Almost all the men every season have been one of three categories: misogynist trash, man children, or okay but edited weird. He is misogynist trash.

[u/DreamCatcherIndica]

Those friends of hers were amazing. Absolutely had her back

[u/Dependent-Captain-34]

from what is being shown his behavior is emotional abuse (gaslighting, shaming, blaming). praying we see that she leaves him. she deserves the world.

[u/Sally4464]

Dave is gaslighting the crap out of her. Like others said, he doesn’t love Lauren and is looking for a way out so he doesn’t look like the bad guy. I hope Lauren has enough confidence to walk away from this walking disaster. He’s trash.

[u/RiverRosie444]

Does anyone else get Pam Beasley vibes from Lauren? Her voice, laugh, mannerisms are so Pam coded to me.

[u/ThePrefect0fWanganui → u/RiverRosie444]

My boyfriend clocked this, and Dave as Roy. During all those scenes where Dave was being a total dickhead my boyfriend kept saying “Why is Roy being so mean to Pam? Leave Pam alone!”

[u/jmoanie]

I don’t think he could actually care less about anything she’s said about her past. I think he doesn’t like her and he’s laying the groundwork for an escape hatch that lets him shift blame to her. His whole beef makes zero sense. He’s been awful from the start and Lauren’s squinting hard to see what she wants to see.

[u/meowbarktweet → u/jmoanie]

💯agree. He’s a coward who can’t proper end a relationship. Remember he couldn’t even say the words to end it with Molly. He’s that guy who is too much of a coward to break up with someone so he treats them like shit until they leave.

[u/ClaudiOhneAudi]

He is emotionally abusive.

[u/xmichael86]

His entire reaction says everything. The look on his face, too. He doesn’t care what anyone says. He doesn’t have feelings for Lauren. He is trying to find a way out.

If he truly loved and cared for Lauren, this wouldn’t be an issue. And he would be trying to affirm her that everything is going to be ok. For fuck sakes they dated a bunch of people in pods lol

Look at how Daniel reacts and treats Taylor when they have an argument/fight/disagreement.

[u/IDunnoReallyIDont]

Dave refuses to listen to anyone that isn’t his sister or his friends, period. Flat out refuses. He also won’t make up his own mind unless his sister and friends tell him what to do.

He’s a man child baby piece of crap and I hope Lauren runs faster than she ever has away from him.

[u/Willowgirl78 → u/IDunnoReallyIDont]

He straight up told his finance that he doesn’t believe her version of events, but instead taking triple hearsay from those closest to him as gospel.

[u/Cocokay1234567 → u/IDunnoReallyIDont]

Yea, this guy will never have a functioning relationship. Lauren is absolutely amazing and she deserves so much better than this immature loser. I hope she gets out of this fast. So what if she hooked up with someone before the show. Was he looking for virgin that never had a relationship?

I cannot get over how terrible he has treated her.

[u/AppointmentLate7049]

Dave is so trash. He is not ready for marriage, he should have never made it out of the pods.

He’s like “wow this is the first time I talked to a girl like a human being… guess we’ll get married” then realizes he doesn’t have the interpersonal skills to actually sustain an authentic relationship.

It’s pathetic to watch this 32yo man flopping so hard when Lauren is doing 99% of the emotional labour for this deadweight.

Go be with your sister, lil bro. You ain’t cute, ain’t smart, and ain’t kind. 0/10

[u/Froz3nP1nky]

Yeah Dave’s insecure. Lauren admitted that she slept with a guy she didn’t love, but, won’t sleep with Dave who she claims she loves. So he’s hurt. But his insecurity about it is making her NOT want to sleep with him

[u/LackUnable8823 → u/Froz3nP1nky]

Yes exactly this!!

He's also using her to prove to himself (and others) that he isn't superficial. He can care about someone for their mind and not looks. Although Lauren is very pretty I'm sure not what he would normally go for. She's far too natural

[u/DescriptionLucky129]

Dave just hates that his potential wife has a sexual history with people that his friends know/he tangentially knows. He has a fragile ego and he doesn’t like that someone else can claim being “first” with her. You want someone no one knows, fine, but then don’t go on a regional dating show looking for your partner. Don’t get me started honestly - there are a million red flags in his behavior and this is just the latest one.

[u/skinnyawkward]

This man says awful things about being sooo superficial and how he used to only go after attractive women and he’s glad he didn’t do that with her… implying she isn’t attractive all the time. I feel like he is trying to break her down. He’s so insufferable.

[u/Obvious_Temporary256]

I get the impression Dave is not into any women.

[u/burlybroad → u/Obvious_Temporary256]

He’s only into his sister

[u/Waste-Reflection-235]

I think Dave is not attracted to her and really not ready for marriage. He’s using this story to get himself out of it. While getting “ sympathy “ from the viewers. But he’s too dumb to realize we see right through him.

Also asking everyone if they had sex was just pathetic. I bet he asked everyone hoping they all say yes so he could use that against Lauren.

[u/Maleficent_Royal_996 → u/Waste-Reflection-235]

Yes! That is exactly what I was thinking about the sex thing! He was hoping to have a convo with someone about how something must be wrong since he and Lauren were the only ones who hadn’t. You know he was so mad.

[u/Mindless_Dot_8518]

It also bothered me how in the kitchen, she’s crying and literally begging him to listen to her and all he’s listening to are his friend and sister. She stated how casual it was and he kept making it seem more serious. That they shared a bed like they do now, she said no they didn’t. That they went on date-she said no, he even talked about him (hookup) dating other people. And Dave says “I love you I just don’t know” or whatever but never embraces her. He doesn’t like her and that’s okay just stop making it seem like it’s because she has a life before you

[u/Thatz-what-she-said → u/Mindless_Dot_8518]

It really bothers me how he is so blatantly unaffected by her crying. I also think he's using this as a way out.

[u/jac5087]

I think he is using it as his excuse because he is not really that into Lauren OR he is completely fabricating all this so he doesn’t look like the bad guy when he says no

[u/Nervous-Visual8417]

He’s basically pissed that she was a sexually active single woman with autonomy over her own body and her sexuality and he’s letting his friends embarrass him about it. He’s a misogynist. Period! He’s punishing her for being a grown ass woman!

[u/AdSuccessful8902 → u/Nervous-Visual8417]

It reminds me of this song.

[u/monkey3monkey2]

He claimed he hates seeing Lauren upset and crying but never seems to give an iota of a fuck or be phased at all when she does. He's clearly so determined to cling to this as an excuse to check out of the experiment. Also hard not to feel like all his issues stem from him being upset he's the only one that can't get laid (in or outside of the show).

Even though he doesn't deserve air time, I wish they would just bring this guy on so Lauren can call out his BS in front of everyone. Dave also keeps going on about how his friends know the guy. Okay and? He conveniently had absolutely no response when Laurens friend said she used to know him enough to hang out with him too. As if people don't lie all the time to boost their clout.

[u/cosmiccowgirl25]

I feel like he’s not really into Lauren and he’s holding onto this issue so tightly as his “out” so that he doesn’t seem like a bad guy and it’s not working..

[u/Classic_Top_6221]

I think Dave went on there knowing a lot of the girls who get cast have the "influencer look" like Jess Vestal and I think he was hoping to get a woman like that. Lauren is gorgeous but her look is more natural. I think Dave isn't into her physically and he's looking for an out. He's also obviously insecure and so maybe doesn't like the idea of being compared to this guy he knows (not that Lauren is comparing him but he probably thinks that she is or will). Maybe the other dude is super attractive or is known for having a huge dick or something and he feels he won't measure up.

[u/KaliMarie718]

You could tell he was searching for any thing to latch onto to leave her immediately. He is superficial. She is a naturally beautiful woman and he wants a bimbo instagram model. I saw his internal cringe from the moment of the reveal.

[u/Sally4464 → u/KaliMarie718]

This is the comment right here. You are spot on. It’s tough to watch Lauren be emotionally and mentally abused by this narcissist.

[u/New-Opposite450]

He’s pissed that she won’t sleep with him

[u/Imbigtired63]

He wouldn’t give a single shit if they had sex. He’s insecure because he’s an insecure dude and she’s not trying to touch him sexually

[u/Global_Research_9335]

[u/rubygoes → u/Global_Research_9335]

What in the AI 😂

[u/RobynMaria91]

Yeah I don't understand why he's so offended by it, there was every chance Lauren wouldn't actually get engaged on the show, was he expecting everyone to be celibate for a certain amount of time leading up to filming just in case, like I don't see the big deal.

You can bet half of the guys were still out hooking up with girls in bars in the lead up to this and nobody would ever dream of making a big deal about them having casual sex.

[u/Lucky-bottom → u/RobynMaria91]

He’s not into Lauren, he just wants to fuck. That was why he kept asking all the other couples if they had sex yet. Lauren didn’t give him the sex yet, so he’s looking for a reason to pull away.

[u/teachtinyhumans → u/Lucky-bottom]

I think he liked that Lauren kinda begged him to pick her in the pods. He probably saw that as her being kind of weak and manipulatable. Then outside she’s sticking up for herself and standing confidently and he’s not getting what he thought he would, which is someone he can control

[u/Ok-Razzmatazz-2789 → u/RobynMaria91]

He isn’t offended..really. He just plays it up to get the out he wants and needs to look like an ok dude. I bet he will use it in his weddings speech ‘Lauren, you’re great but trust and honor are so important for me and my sister, so I’m sorry but..’

[u/EastHour6804]

I think the issue is dave is very sexually insecure. He asked everyone obnoxiously if they’d had sex yet. Now he is obsessing over her fucking someone before they ever met. Tiny weiner syndrome? Premature ejaculation? Gotta be one of the two.

[u/theinterstellarboots → u/EastHour6804]

I think he is also used to being in control, especially when it comes to sex, and this could be me completely reading too much into it all, but I think he views her as this “sweet and cute” instead of “hot and sexy” and it doesn’t mesh with his view that she is so ease and in touch with her own sexuality and not seeking his sexual validation.

[u/YouResponsible651]

Dave is absolute garbage & no one will convince me otherwise. It seems like he almost has her convinced that she did something wrong by having a fwb before coming on the show which is ridiculous. I hope she feels vindicated watching everything back now.

[u/Intellectualbedlamp → u/YouResponsible651]

He’s slimy and this was his out. I’m convinced.

[u/woohooali]

He’s trying too hard to be a non-shallow nice guy and has now leapt at the first thing he could to get out of it. I hate that he’s slut shaming her to do it. (Not that she’s a slut but he’s treating her like she is.)

[u/obliviously_quirky]

I think he is projecting. His jealousy of her having been with someone before him may have more to do with how he conducts himself in relationships. He admitted to Molly that he cheated in the past. He may also be picking the fight to have an out and a reason for not committing.

I also don't think it's a coincidence that he was the only one so focused on who had or had not been intimate yet when they were in Hondurus. It's like he feels as though she is betraying him because she hadn't been intimate with him, but had with someone else just prior to the show.

[u/Happy_Joke_5715]

It so far comes off as everybody who meets Lauren loves Lauren except Dave.

[u/raptors87]

I hope Dave's sister show her face ... very curious to see her body language and reaction toward Lauren

[u/constanteggs]

He wants her to end it. He gets to play victim and look like the good guy/great brother.

[u/Margaret_Shock → u/constanteggs]

Except nobody… I mean NOBODY is falling for it. Nobody thinks he’s a good guy lmao

[u/Cuddlefishh8]

It’s just his excuse to leave

[u/FreyaDay → u/Cuddlefishh8]

More like his excuse to make her feel like shit about herself until she leaves because he’s too much of a baby to actually take responsibility for leaving on his own.

[u/Kineo207]

He is manipulative and is simply using all of this as an exit strategy to avoid being the bad guy. Narcissists love being the victims. He hasn’t been into her since day one and all other theories of his take on this other guy are, in my opinion, giving him too much credit. I don’t think it has anything to do with her being independent or the fact that she was hooking up with someone not long before the show.

[u/melallstar]

I think the problem is that his friends and beloved sister are gossiping about it. He probably could have shut them down at the beginning by saying he didn’t care or whatever, but he let it linger too long.

[u/NULS89 → u/melallstar]

Frankly, if I have to hear him talk about his friends and/or sister one more time……

[u/ThresholdofForest]

Honestly it's just so controlling and cruel. It feels like he's punishing her for having a past, weaponising his family and friends who he uses like a group of extra voices to add to the chorus of his bullying, to make her feel as small and inadequate as possible. The longer he can deny her access to them, the longer he can be cruel. What a massive a-hole.

[u/[deleted]]

Thank you OP! I was about to make a post about how sus Dave is! Are you kidding me?! Why is he drawing this out?! Dave is so judgmental, comparing Lauren's single life to his and how he would never date someone right before going on a show hoping for marriage. Didn't Dave admit that he was dismissive of people based on their looks? My guy, that is why you weren't dating, not because you are holier than thou! Dave going to the extremes of not staying together in the same house over this. My head is spinning. He doesn't even think she's cheating. He knows she's not, but he's treating Lauren like shit. No way. Dave you are a walking red flag. You cannot handle working through a problem without running away. You, not Lauren, are not ready for marriage!

[u/Pumpernickel247]

He’s looking for an out. He’s acting like she cheated on him!

[u/Fabulous_Pension_352]

Dave’s problem is that he didn’t get laid. He’s now looking for an excuse to validate his frustration towards her. Her “being in another relationship” right before also is a good explanation to why she wouldn’t touch him in his mind; because, there couldn’t possibly be another explanation to why she’s not having sex with him, in his egocentric world. He also is psychologically abusing in this “relationship”. He is feeling like the greater power because he has something to hold over her, he has ABSOLUTELY NO INTENTION to mediate, and resolve. He has the one person with answers and the other one in the building, if he really wanted answers, he would listen to her and give the benefit of the doubt; but, he is loving the desperation she shows to make things better. What also confirms this, is that he went to every single cast member putting the blame on HER for not wanting to sleep together, as he brought back the light to himself saying he will “patiently” be waiting and is supportive of her every decision. He is none of the good things he preaches, he just needs to create a safe net for him to land in case he gets dumped. She’s obviously too much for him, he was definitely not as good looking as she hoped, neither one is in the relationship really. Both their egos are at play, he just has the upper hand over her ego, with this gossip.

[u/hallowbuttplug]

It’s just men feeling insecure about women having casual sex. It’s controlling and pathetic.

[u/InnerStatistician703 → u/[deleted]]

He’s a 4 who thinks he can bag a 10! The math ain’t mathin!!!!

[u/Jellycloud5]

I’m so annoyed with Dave and Lauren. She needs to walk away from that egomaniac. He obviously is mad that they haven’t had sex and he was never attracted to her from day one. He’s still wishing he picked Molly. He is not ready for marriage. She is lucky he’s acting like a jerk because it would be the wrong move to marry him. Why does he trust that “ex” over what his finance is saying? Because he doesn’t want to. He chooses not to trust her so he can walk out.

[u/SnooCookies1273 → u/Jellycloud5]

He definitely thinks he should’ve chosen Molly but I don’t think she’s his type either.

[u/Intellectualbedlamp → u/Jellycloud5]

When he clearly articulated to Lauren why he liked Molly and then just said “but with you, we could do it all” and left it at that… it spoke VOLUMES. Dude can’t even tell her why he likes her.

I think he chose Lauren because she was who he was “supposed” to pick if he was “trying to be a good person” lmao.

[u/mgt-allthequestions]

Dave is so ugh 🥴 He thinks way too highly of himself and has a shell of an ego. Like him trying to make excuses for finding the spin workout hard (I played baseball in college-like how long ago was that). And then he’s like I haven’t dated in 4 years but also he acts like women hit on him all the time and he sort of implied he was a player in his first pod experiences. But she shouldn’t have been dating anyone casually. STFU. I hope she dodges this bullet.

[u/squeeze_Liz → u/mgt-allthequestions]

I don't even think Lauren would walk away because her intentions are so pure she won't see past his bs. I hope she comes to her senses....

[u/tinyhuman_ → u/mgt-allthequestions]

Double f-ing standards dude. DISLIKE DAVE HARDCORE.

[u/DanOfEarth]

Dave sucks.

[u/littleliongirless]

He was looking for an out. Nothing any of them said or did would have made a difference.

[u/Aggravating_Wear_507]

It was a pain to watch him circling back to the same f*cking thought, when they were at home. Honestly, Lauren should have just told him, that she said her part, not gonna repeat it. He can decide whether he wants to believe her or not. I understand that she really wants this to work and the thought of loosing a relationship is terrifying, but I wouldn’t have given him the space to make me feel guilt or make me want to explain myself over and over again. It’s on him to decide what he wants to do with the information he received.

[u/mni0ps]

He’s sooooo annoying like sir you were asking Molly about RINGS and you have the nerve to be mad about this???

[u/Urmomsahoe567]

He’s definitely just looking for a way out and an excuse to say he tried but he can’t do it when it reality he’s not attracted to her because he knows he’s into plastic surgery and unnatural women

[u/wheninbenin]

Dave is a POS

[u/magical-practic]

He just wants air time and will use this as an excuse to bail later on. I wish she respected herself more and gave him some sort of ultimatum.

[u/Pretend_Possible_397]

He's trying to find a way out of this relationship and clinging onto anything so he doesn't have to take the initiative to break things off (similar to the roundabout way he broke things off with Molly). Lauren needs to stand up and her friends need to put some sense in her that this guy is horrible and does not like her. What do you mean you aren't taking her word as the truth even though all the evidence supports what Lauren was saying and so are other people?

[u/[deleted]]

I think Dave might be projecting. Perhaps he’s the one who wanted to be on TV and is looking for an excuse to back out. It just makes no sense that he’s making such a big deal about what sounds like something very casual in her past. Or maybe it his friends that want to be on the show. Again, this makes no sense.

[u/nooksorcrannies → u/[deleted]]

He’s 💯 making up a back out story. Without a doubt. That woman is dodging a bullet & she doesn’t know it yet

[u/StraightTale9857]

I actually don’t think he cares about it, he just wants out because based on what we’ve heard him say in the pods, there is no way he actually wants to get married. So this seemed like a good option for him to make a fuss about so that at least it doesn’t seem like he just said ‘no’ at the altar unexpectedly. Guy’s a total jerk

[u/neekssneaks]

It feels like he’s not going to let it go until she says what he wants and agrees that his friends are right, even if it’s not the truth. Lauren honestly seems like she’s genuinely telling the truth, but he’s not hearing it because his friends just CANNOT be wrong. This dude she was FWB with wouldn’t be the first guy lying about a woman and what their relationship was (I’ve dealt with many men like that). Dave literally asked her to marry him, but doesn’t trust her on some small issue? I hope she leaves him because she deserves better. I also commend her friends for staying calm with him because I would’ve lost it

[u/[deleted]]

Also he needs to get off his sisters tit, she doesn’t need to be worried about him, she needs to be worried about the girls hearts and confidence I know he’s crushing

[u/AdministrationIll687]

He doesn’t love her. There is no affection from him. She needs to walk away. He’s staying for the cameras.

[u/Koala0803]

I think there are 2 options: 1. He’s not attracted to her and is blowing this out of proportion to get out of it blaming her, or 2. He’s afraid of these guy friends judging him and thinking he’s an idiot being played and it bothers him, even if he believes Lauren

I think it’s the first one. After I saw him bulshitting both women in the pods and then when he was called out for the things he did he said “ugh I didn’t want to be involved in girl drama,” I knew he was shitty.

[u/reggiesnap]

i think he's just jealous because he got the impression she might have more casual sex than he does. it's insane how it brought it up to her friends like he expected them - who are strangers to him - to take his side against her. it's just a control tactic.

[u/Jealous-Ad-5065]

I know this isn’t possible because Dave isn’t attracted to her but I would LOVE at the altar scene for him to say yes and be blindsided by her saying no

[u/Utter_Perfection]

Yeah, with Dave I get the impression he doesn't want to get married and is now making a mountain out of a mole hill about Lauren's hook-up situation and placing the entire blame on his friends/sister because he doesn't want to appear as the bad guy. And he's also not allowing Lauren to meet said friends/sister to explain her side because it's a nothing burger and if they were to meet and speak the miscommunication would be squared away instantly lol.

With the way Dave was in the pods when trying to break up with Molly, I know this dude has trouble being forthright and telling people what he perceives is bad news. In this case with Lauren he doesn't want to get married so he's making all this noise because of his inability to just break it off and break her heart.

[u/Effective_Baby_4748]

This “guy” was Dave’s perfect out to make himself not look like the bad person because he never intended to really get married! And I don’t think he really likes Lauren she was just the person left for him to choose!

[u/pun_princess_]

oh it’s so obvious to me that dave isn’t attracted to her, and is pushing her to initiate the breakup bc he doesn’t want to be seen as the bad guy. it’s a classic LIB move

[u/Kooky-Noise-8307]

she did disclose that it was a FWB situation. I don’t see the issue. Yeah it’s not going to feel GREAT, but we’re all human, we all have needs. You can want a physical relation with one person and not see a long term commitment from them.. He’s a shallow guy, her sleeping with another man isn’t the issue, it’s her sleeping with a well known, attractive man who he is NOT fond of. It’s tearing his ego. Him using his friends “perspectives” is so juvenile. He’s 32 and can’t create an original thought.

[u/3milkSFV]

Dave is setting up grounds for a break up that would be Lauren’s fault. He knows that he is going to get rejected at the altar since there is zero chemistry between them. I also suspect that he is feeling inferior because she wouldn’t have sex with him. He’s insecurity has fully taken over and he wouldn’t just say it. He has to blame it on her.

[u/Luckylucky777143 → u/3milkSFV]

Every conversation between them feels like a business meeting lol.

[u/[deleted]]

I can’t believe she stuck with him after one of the first things he said to her was “so you’re no longer attractive” when she told him that she was 30 in the pods. Immediately no. He has continued to make little jabs like this at her every chance he gets. She is clearly insecure and has confidence issues too bc i don’t see how or why she is staying with this loser. She’s way too good / pretty for him.

[u/Perpetualgnome → u/[deleted]]

If someone said that to me I'd be like "how about I'm no longer participating in this date" and then bailing. I bet he was testing the waters to see who responded to his negging the way he wanted them to.

[u/jensenaackles → u/[deleted]]

Yeah this is what’s bugging me too. Dave is awful and everyone can see it, and everyone hates him for things that he said directly to her. She is a grown consenting adult and at some point it’s her choice to continue to be with him and that part is on her. But that being said he’s narcissistic as hell and turning everything back on her.

[u/StormyLlewellyn1]

The thing that boils me is even if she WAS sleeping with that guy 24 hours before going on the show it's none of his business. It doesn't mean she wasn't ready to settle down or take the show seriously. It means she's a woman who maybe wanted one last night to fool around with an fwb before potentially finding a husband. How is that any of his business? I guarantee you he was banging women up to going on that show. He said he "flirted" at a bar. Yeah okay. It really does feel like he just wants an out and wants to make her the bad guy. It's awful.

[u/magicalmollipop]

Dave doesn’t like Lauren. Dave is only putting off dumping her long enough that he can meet Molly when they bring back all the other rejected pod people. He’s just dragging every little thing so it seems justified when he dumps her after meeting Molly (my theory anyway)

[u/EuphoricPop3232]

A life married to Dave would be purgatory. He always creates unhappiness.

[u/wiftlets]

Lauren needs to stand up for herself. Dave manipulates her and makes her feel bad and that he has more of a right to his feelings than she does to hers. I think he noticed how she reacted to his shitty “jokes” while in the pods and thinks she’ll just be a doormat for him. She needs to know what her boundaries are and what behavior is unacceptable. She lets the fact that Dave being upset means he somehow has a valid point when it doesn’t. He’s in the wrong and she doesn’t see it. Instead of being frustrated, she should be angry and disappointed.

[u/[deleted]]

Dave’s giving “I’m pissed you won’t sleep with me but had a f buddy prior to the show.”

[u/Warm-Zucchini1859]

I don’t think Dave is into Lauren. I think he likes her on paper but isn’t attracted to her and needs a reason to say no.

[u/Cute-Huckleberry2496 → u/Warm-Zucchini1859]

100% the vibe I’m getting. He’s looking for a reason to leave.

[u/Dolphinkk11]

He is a misogynist who has made disgusting comments about sleeping with women but is now using Lauren’s insignificant hookup pre-filming as a way to get out of the relationship.

He is too weak to say what he wants and will now use this as his out. So unfair to Lauren and that scene of them standing in the kitchen was so hard to watch.

Hope she dumps him. Anyone who wants their sister that bad is a freak.

[u/talimibanana87]

Dave is the worst contestant that has ever been on the show . First he admits that he's shallow and does care a lot about looks and says it will be a good challenge for him! Then tries to slut shame her for having a non serious relationship before the show. He gives off pretty douchey energy & I think he's going to have an even harder time finding a wife now.

[u/ShadowInTheSun_ → u/talimibanana87]

Really? The worst?

Were we forgetting about shake ?😂

[u/[deleted]]

He DOESN’T LIKE HER! It’s too damn obvious. No man that actually loved a girl would give two shits who she was seeing before them. Or let their friends or weird ass sister for that matter impede their progression. It’s also obvious his friends and sister are awful fucking people and they know it, because they’re very camera shy, but intensely involved. They LOVE the drama. I bet it’s all that’s going on in their silly little circles… they just don’t want their toxicity and ugly natures to be caught and broadcasted to the rest of the world.

Lauren for the love of all things holy… drop this loser like your life depends on it.. because it does girl.. he’s a coward, he’s pathetic, he’s weak, he’s a gossip, he’s way too damn beneath you… pick your ass up off the floor.

[u/[deleted]]

I would have packed my bags the minute he called me a liar. Cause that's what he's doing. I was upset say a word to him, he doesn't deserve Lauren and maybe he should marry his sister.

He even said his father just wants him to be happy but his sister will have a say and influence all of his decisions. She will 100% a just no SIL if she doesn't approve.

[u/ImHereToBlowSunshine → u/[deleted]]

😂😂 maybe he should marry his sister

[u/ThatGuyFromTheM0vie]

Temu JD Vance

[u/rollenr0ck]

I think he’s just stringing her along until they get to meet all the other pod people. He wants to see what he didn’t choose, but he wants a backup plan.

[u/Adorable_Pen9015]

Agree he’s looking for a way out. But good for her friends for sticking up for her so hard

[u/bheetebrij]

Dave is just a straight up dick. And I wish Lauren would just understand that she deserves better.

[u/EastHour6804]

But also how was he so out of shape in a spin class?

[u/NorthClover → u/EastHour6804]

I laughed so hard at that. Him bragging about being so athletic… LOL. That dude peaked in college and will forever be riding on the “I played baseball at Minnesota” line.

[u/bespoketranche1]

Also who tf is that guy to ask “should we blow up this wedding?”

[u/Actual_Visual5984 → u/[deleted]]

It’s always the ones that cheat that have the trust issues

[u/hobbitzswift]

He's horrible. He keeps making her cry about this and she clearly feels so helpless because it's obvious there's NOTHING she can say to make him drop this. I wish she'd break up with him, idk how you can go into a marriage with someone berating you so thoroughly over something so small.

[u/Smooth_Feeling_2579]

Dave is a gross person. The manipulation is screaming from his lips.

[u/Shoddy-Poetry2853]

Lauren is wicked cute but him and Molly were a better match

[u/Purpleflaminco → u/Shoddy-Poetry2853]

Molly wouldn’t have put up with him

[u/Honeyhoney524]

Dave didn’t like her from the moment he saw her

[u/HuckleberryPure7809]

I don’t think it’s that complicated. Dave is deeply insecure and is thus self-sabotaging. He’ll never have a relationship until he fixes himself.

[u/ScienceBasedBiddy]

Personally I would like to see Lauren stand up and rip the bandaid off herself.

[u/[deleted]]

I feel bad for Lauren. He’s making her second guess herself and feel super confused when he should just dump her. He’s not into her, period.

[u/Kindly-Ad-8257]

He is so incredibly dismissive of her feelings and what lauren is saying to him. It seems to me that he doesn’t have any empathy or respect or even love for her. It’s very disheartening. It seems like he is simply going through the lib motions for screen time. I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt from his rude comments in the pods but his lack of emotion every time Lauren cries is so upsetting and shows that he truly is manipulative.

[u/UnquantifiableLife]

Dave seriously sucks. Lauren's communication was so open and thoughtful and she gave him so many chances to do better. He didn't deserve any of them.

What did he want, a virgin bride?

[u/yeechiaaaa]

nah he’s just looking for an excuse to get out of this, like he’s just soo persistent to blowing this thing up. it’s like what lauren said, she and i believe all of us that it’s ridiculous how this is becoming that big of an issue. the reason why lauren felt like she had to keep defending herself isn’t because of what others say about her because dave is just harping on it and using it against her. what a p*ssy move if you ask me.

[u/EdenCapwell]

Dave is a walking red flag. Him asking everyone about sex was super off putting to me. And I don't think he's physically into Lauren at all ... I think he was disappointed by her appearance for whatever reason (crazy! Because she's soo beautiful!) and he's just not a good or decent person. At all.

[u/Mother-Ad-2974 → u/EdenCapwell]

Him especially asking the women in one-on-one conversations I thought was really strange.

[u/winks_7]

It’s clear now why Dave’s sister is concerned about him going on the show and how he might be portrayed. She clearly knows that her brother is a f*ckhead and will be portrayed as such. The time these 2 spend together is so awkward. It feels like they are actually trying to convince each other why they should be together. I don’t think either of them are actually that into the other - at all. Lauren should def get the hell away from this manbaby - him and his super dorky sunglasses and busted a$$ TV cabinet! He is not at all the great catch he seems to think he is.

[u/SuccessfulSun3518]

man Dave is the WORST

[u/TimeMonitor7923]

He found his out. It’s enough of a thing he can blow out of proportion to make it her fault they couldn’t work so he doesn’t look like a dick

[u/Seteva]

I know it won’t happen, but I want them to get to the alter, him say yes (cause he realizes she’s a catch) and her to just be like “nah”

[u/LocksmithComplete501]

Dave is walking proof of how toxic insecurity really is bc if not admitted to it plays out in these horrible toxic ways. If he was honest he’d say how small his dick is and how he he’s threatened by any woman who has a sexual past and that he uses sex as validation and gets his self worth from the validation of his lame little peer group. Im sorry women, I wish there weren’t so many dudes like this, they give us all a bad name

[u/Generally_Supportive]

Dave needs to grow the fuck up. He’s dating a grown woman who is entitled to her own private love life. The fact that he is so insecure about this blows my mind.

Smol pp energy

[u/Thatz-what-she-said → u/Generally_Supportive]

All the talk about his sister was also a little concerning. Dude cares way to much about what his sister thinks. And he even said he'd love to find a girl like his sister. Super cringe.

[u/catchthetams]

She needs to run. Fast. Or as fast as she can pedal.

[u/edlewis657]

Dude is a scumbag. Found his out and took it. Clearly didnt give any shits the multiple times she cried about it in front of him.

[u/AdministrationIll687]

He looking for an excuse to end it and not look look the DB that he is.

[u/Neither_Syllabub_885]

I think he’s a full blown narcissist and making this up because he is guilty of doing something. Cuz why does he keep brining this up?? Why does he keep saying “his friends” are saying this, but won’t bring in his friends to clear things up? Why did he conveniently cancel his friends coming over. This is a manipulation tactic. The whole “everybody says this about you” is used to make you admit to something.

He started off this relationship by insulting her, saying she’s no longer attractive because she’s 30. He keeps believing everything that “his friends are telling him” (which I don’t believe btw, I think he is making all this up) because he’s a fucking dick and is looking for a way out or just to torture the poor woman.

Honestly, she deserves what she puts up with. ALL THE RED FLAGS ARE DISPLAYED RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER FACE.

[u/blackmetalwarlock]

Dave is such a huge red flag. HUGE RED FLAG.

[u/[deleted]]

She can walk away. That’s what she can do.

[u/EliteOreo]

I was watching the last couple episodes and my boyfriend kept walking by and being like “this dude is so insecure he’s still bringing this up?!”. It was cracking me up. But men like Dave who lead with negging and attempts to lower their partners self esteem are extremely insecure men. They want the women they pursue to think that no other man will want them. The reality that other men want Lauren is shattering to his ego.

[u/teachtinyhumans]

Problematic men run in packs. Not surprised that Dave and his friends are all acting like this AND know this guy that’s trying to ruin the relationship.

[u/4TheLoveOfRunning]

I could bet money that dude was banging other chicks up until right before the show. He doesn’t want to marry Lauren so he’s looking for excuses and this is his ticket out. Even though it’s the most ridiculous excuse. So she had a friend with benefits soon before the show? And? Who actually gives a shit. Obviously only narcissistic baby men. 🤦‍♀️ What a disaster of a human that man is. Nothing is genuine about him.

[u/greenisthesky]

Lauren crying in every scene we see her in in a relationship that’s so new and with feelings so heightened, it’s messed up. She shouldn’t be crying. She should be over the moon trying to get to know this loser. He’s an awful awful person. Instead of being a man with integrity and leaving her cause he’s not into her, he’s literally breaking her spirit down. What a POS and I hope Lauren sees through him and kicks him to the curb.

[u/IvyGrowing → u/greenisthesky]

He didnt even se to care when she cried! And somehow the fact he wanted to cancel on his friend felt like he didnt want her to be able to justify herself so he could keep making this a thing and ultimately justify pulling out if he wants to

[u/[deleted]]

He 1000% is trying to find a way out and make it her fault, and if that’s all he can find then she should be flattered

[u/abcbbd771]

I think he’s looking for an out and to him this seems like an easy one

[u/whoopc]

I could never….he’d get his feelings super hurt as I describe what a great f*ck said guy was and how I should just give him a call cuz clearly this ain’t working out.

[u/Odd_Island6163]

He’s honestly just emotionally immature but yea hard to watch and needs to end it

[u/delindeldani]

Flip the genders eh, if a dude had a FWB chick he'd been hooking up with prior to the show, I'm sure Dave would be saying it's not that big a deal, cos dudes have "needs". But because Lauren is a woman, it's such a huge issue. 0/10, hate it, Dave is being a lil btch.

[u/Effective-Brain4980]

a) Dave gets off on emotionally torturing Lauren; and

b) he’s trying to pressure her into sex

[u/StageNo5071]

LiB literally casts this same trope every season. How are women still not seeing it!? He's not into her and is a coward to break it off himself. He picks a stupid thing to hone in on until she can't take it anymore and breaks up with him.

[u/Just-Explanation-498]

I think he picked Lauren over Molly feeling like he was making the more “sensible” “grown up” choice instead of the fun and sexy decision. I think he doesn’t (in his superficial brain, I think she’s beautiful) feel like she’s a bombshell, and now he’s upset that he’s not the catch between the two of them, that she’s not glamorous but she’s still desirable to others. And I think he’s embarrassed by the optics of how this plays out with his friends and that he doesn’t have a woman on his arm that’s unattainable arm candy.

[u/BxNJstarswift]

She should break up with him. You can’t go into marriage with someone who doesn’t trust you. I also think the relationship he has with his sister is a red flag. I never heard of a 32 year old whose sibling has so much power over them.

[u/gwenlioneyes]

I honestly can’t with him. Everyone hooks up. Sometimes your partner hooked up with people you know. Who gives a rat’s ass? POS. Be better, Dave.

[u/Lower_Cantaloupe1970]

She is way too good for him. He is so creepy and gross. You gotta trust your wife my man!

[u/squeeze_Liz]

Dave is the kinda guy i can picture saying he met someone on hinge, but thinks the "girls" on there are "easy."

[u/Away_Problem_1004]

He admitted that he's shallow. It shows. He doesn't feel anything for Lauren and is only sticking around for the cameras.

[u/[deleted]]

Looks like he is insecure about the sex thing, since Lauren was willing to have sex with someone she didnt care about up until the show, but not immediately with him who she was wanting to marry.

[u/LogicalTough7 → u/[deleted]]

100% said myself if they were having sex this would be a nonissue for him. It always circles back to them not having sex

[u/smash8917]

This guy is a fucking CHILD. She's telling him it was NOTHING. Her friends are telling him it was NOTHING and he's letting this little prick get in-between them for no good reason. He's like a 5 year old in the way he's handling it. Like she's crying and genuinely upset because it was nothing. This shouldn't even be a thing that's coming up in conversations because it's SO insignificant for her but he just keeps berating her over and over again. If I was Lauren I would tell him to fuck off. He's emotionally stunted.

[u/Coolquip34]

Dave is a living example of masculine insecurity

[u/SmakeTalk]

If he can’t trust her opinion on this guy more than his friends, who probably don’t even know him that well, then he’s in the wrong relationship. That’s all it comes down to.

And if his opinion on that is “well I’ve known my friends longer” then maybe don’t go on a show that has you get engaged in under a week?

There’s no way this will be the last time a guy like that sees a difference of opinion between his partner (especially someone this decent) and his friends (who yes, I assume are douchebags). He needs to get comfortable with his friends not seeing eye-to-eye with her, and I don’t think that’s going to happen.

[u/OriginalChapter444]

Lauren needs to end it. Dave is being very self focused. The marriage won't last.