I have a close friend, “Jay,” who’s an up and coming artist. I’ve supported him from the very beginning emotionally, financially, physically (this part matters). Whenever he was stressed, touring, or burnt out from studio sessions, I gave him massages for free. Not once or twice. For months. I never complained because I genuinely believed in him and his career. Recently, Jay landed a big concert, his first major one and I was genuinely proud of him. During one of our conversations, he casually said something like, “Don’t worry, you’ll be there.” I took that as him saying I’d get a ticket. I didn’t ask for VIP, backstage, or anything extra. Just a regular ticket so I could support him like I always had. Fast forward to a week before the concert. I asked what time I should come so I could plan my day. That’s when Jay said, “Oh, you still need to buy your ticket.” I was a little shocked,I told him I thought he meant he was giving me a ticket. He immediately got defensive and said I was “feeling entitled” and that “real friends don’t ask artists for free tickets.” That stung, especially considering I’d given him services that usually cost good money, completely free, for a long time. I calmly explained that this wasn’t about entitlement, but about a misunderstanding and feeling unappreciated. He doubled down and said he was offended that I even brought it up and that tickets were “tight.”(ps; he got 8 free tickets)At that point, I told him I wouldn’t be able to attend the concert at all, and I also wouldn’t be offering free massages anymore. I said I wasn’t angry, just setting boundaries. Now he’s telling mutual friends that I tried to “pressure” him and that I’m being petty and unsupportive right when his career is taking off. Some of them agree with him, others think he took advantage of my generosity.