Guy's Behavior

Why did he act like he cared and then told me this?

My guy friend has always been super kind to me and flirty. I kept hearing from my sister that he made comments about me to her and her husband (his brother). I finally asked him about it and if he even wanted to be friends. He said we're friends we're just not close friends and he didn't know how else to say it. He admitted he made comments in the past but told me not to over think it or he wouldn't be saying we're friends now, and he doesn't just want to be friends because of our families. He also said he doesn't remember the dozens of times he asked about the two of us going out. He's a chronic alcoholic, so I'm not entirely surprised. Why would he act like he cared so much and then make those comments and say we can't be close friends? I'm just hurting because he wasn't honest and I don't get it.
Why did he act like he cared and then told me this?
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