‘Baby Daddy’s Derek Theler Talks the Danny, Ben and Riley Love Triangle

If you’re a ‘Baby Daddy’ fan, then most likely you’re also a fan of Derek Theler, who plays the lovable professional hockey player with a six-pack and a big heart on the hit ABC Family comedy.

As Danny Wheeler, Theler is a comedian cracking jokes in front of a live studio audience. Funnily enough, that’s not what the 27-year-old actor thought he’d be doing with his life.

Before making it big on ‘Baby Daddy,’ or as Theler calls the show, “lightning in a baby bottle,” he was busy earning a degree in Pre-med and nutrition. After finishing his degree at Colorado State, Theler set off for the L.A. sunset, and bam, he scored the role of Danny, who fans are constantly rooting for.

Not only do viewers of the comedy love seeing Theler walk around shirtless during an episode, but fans tune in to see what will happen with Danny and his love life. The series focuses on the shipping of Danny and Riley (Chelsea Kane), in addition to the romance between Ben (Jean-Luc Bilodeau), Danny’s brother, and Riley. It’s a complicated love triangle that resonates throughout every episode.

So, the big question remains: why hasn’t Danny stepped up and told Riley his true feelings? As Theler told TVRage, during a Friday conference call, “That’s a hard question, because when you look at their history they’ve known each other for so long and they’ve been -- they still are -- best friends, since they were kids. I think it’s just one of those things where he’s scared to lose her in that way.

“He feels like if he really expresses his true feelings for her that their relationship as best friends isn’t going to be the same at all. He’s definitely waiting for the right moment to strike, and it’s hard, because it seems to never want to come.”

Riley isn’t the only one Danny hasn't confessed his feelings to, as he has yet to tell his brother, Ben, that they're both pining for the same girl. Now, that’s an awkward family conversation.

When it comes to telling his brother that he's in love with Riley, it’s another complicated situation for Danny. “Ben is the only one in the show that actually doesn’t have any idea about Danny’s feelings,” Theler also told TVRage. “He’s never heard anything that Danny has said about Riley. Even Riley is somewhat aware of Danny’s feelings at this point, due to one voicemail.”

Theler continued, “I think the main reason [Danny hasn’t told Ben] is because Ben and Riley are trying to figure out if they’re right for each other, and he’s his brother, you know? It would totally make it worse if Ben knew Danny had these feelings, and it would complicate things a lot. I think Danny’s pretty much trying to keep it a secret for those reasons. He doesn’t want to lose his relationship with his best friend and his brother.”

Fans will have to wait and see what happens with the Danny, Ben and Riley love triangle, but until then, be sure to keep watching ‘Baby Daddy’ every Wednesday at 8:30/7:30c on ABC Family.