Why would a guy who seems uninterested in you still keep tabs on you?

I have been friends with this guy for 6 years, a couple years ago it seemed like we had feelings for each other, but I made the mistake of not communicating well and he went off and flirted/dated many other girls. Through that time we both disliked each other very much and he even made a point of telling me he would never be interested in me, ever and that hurt, but we still hung around each other because of mutual friends and then life started changing and we hadn't seen each other for a while. Now we are becoming friendly again where we can stand each other and have a good time haning out, but my old feelings came sneaking back in. He on the other hand, has still kept tabs on me and continues to flirt. He also brings up friends who are total losers, that he thinks i should date, but talks about how me and him could be a thing in the future, I guess i am confused on why he would still keep tabs on me and who i should/have dated and if we would have a future and why he still flirts, if he thinks he would never be interested in me?
Why would a guy who seems uninterested in you still keep tabs on you?
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