TIFU by giving my Tinder date the benefit of the doubt twice and almost paying $34 for a Lyft to escape him

TIFU. And honestly I knew from the moment he stood in that doorway.

So I matched with this guy on Tinder. Thought he was kinda cute, swiped right. He opened with his green and red flags and we talked about that for a while. We decided to meet at a park near his place. He wanted me to just come over but I said “I’d rather meet somewhere public so I know you ain’t a serial killer lol” and he reluctantly agreed with a “but why wouldn’t you wanna watch a movie at my place.” I gave my reasoning and he said okay.

I was nervous, as anyone would be. When I saw him, guys, he stands like the “you know you had to do it to em” guy. Think Alex Warren… but from Goodwill. Profile was clean-shaven. Man had a full neckbeard in person.

We start walking and I explain I’m demiromantic because he mentioned wanting to kiss me. He leans in, I pull back, he apologizes, I say it’s okay and we keep walking. Then he goes “I’ve never met a woman that doesn’t kiss on the first date.” I said “now you have!”

We walk back toward his place and he says “you know you don’t gotta be scared of me.” I ask what makes him say that. He says he noticed me pulling away. Already feeling icky. Then he drops: “I actually think it’s normal to have sex on the first date.” Cool cool cool.

We go inside, he shuts the door, stands in the doorway with THAT pose and goes “you’re safe, don’t worry.” Sir. SIR. I immediately said I had to leave in 15 for family dinner. He goes “I feel like you’re lying to me.” We still sat and talked and he walked me to my car.

This is where the second F up happens. He wanted to meet again the next day and I said okay because I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. I texted saying I’d pick him up for a little drive. First thing he replies: “so you don’t wanna have sex?” I said I wasn’t ready. He said “I think we should stop.” I was confused but I let him in the car anyway because apparently I am too kind for my own good.

He talked about his startup company. We drove to a trail (he had his license suspended for unpaid tickets, so I was chauffeuring). He got out for a smoke break, I needed the bathroom, I said I’d wait in the car. He joked “don’t leave me here” and honestly… part of me considered it. I even opened Lyft. The ride was almost $34. I almost paid it just to not have him back in my car. I did not pay it. I drove him home.

He said “thanks for the ride, sorry about earlier, I just get in my feelings.”

I drove home, texted him that I didn’t think it would work out. No response. Unmatched.

TLDR: Matched with a guy who had a neckbeard, a suspended license, and zero reading of the room. Gave him the benefit of the doubt twice. Almost paid $34 for a Lyft just to escape him. Did not. Drove him home anyway. Too kind for my own good and I have accepted this about myself.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​