Why did he text me nonstop for weeks and then say we're just friends?

[Anonymous]

My couple friends had a guy for me to meet. They asked him if he was ready to meet women again and he said yes and that he wanted to meet me. We really hit it off and he texted me all day every day for weeks. He sent me selfies, video of a cookout at his house, flirty emojis, everything. We were even going to meet for drinks, but then he had to work. He texted me his entire shift. Then I got curious what he was looking for and he said he didn't really know. I panicked due to my last relationship being toxic/negative and shut down the conversation. We backed off talking for a few days then he started texting all day long again. Finally I asked if he ever would want to explore things slowly or if it was strictly platonic, and he said it's strictly platonic at this time. I don't understand, why would he be that interested in getting to know me and flirting, and then say it's platonic? Did I read something wrong? We haven't talked since and I'm just really confused.

Updates

+1 y

He told our mutual friends he wanted to meet me. We really hit it off and talked non-stop. He told me he wasn’t sure what he wanted, but he thinks friends is a great start. He said in the past year he’s had people that really pushed him and he wasn’t ready, and it really hurt the friendship. He hoped that wouldn’t be the case between him and I. He wanted to meet up and get drinks, but then he had to work so it didn’t happen. After both of these things, I shut down out of fear. What does he mean?

[coldmarch]

I think he is (or was) genuinely interested, but all the data you're reporting (including in the comment under replies) hint that he is scared of commitment, for whatever reason. It could be because scared of losing autonomy, or scared to lose chances with potentially better partners in the future, or scared to not fulfill expectations of a partner and then having to deal with guilts and responsibilities.
I could say he was just a friend from the beginning but if he was flirting and if he accepted to know you in the view of "meeting women", well... He was interested, or maybe still is, but that's not relevant because when someone pulls away is also generally emotionally sabotaged.
Right now he is definitely confused but managed to give you an answer:"no, not for now".
This gives you the tools for your next steps, if you are interested in him. He is clearly telling you to give him space. If you manage to give him space (for real, like, really believing it's "just a friend" and looking around for others, not staying there to wait him on purpose, otherwise it will show and won't work), he will most likely come back to flirt with you. But, you have to take in account that a relationship with someone who does this systematically, will put you often in a situation of uncertainity and he will play hot and cold continuously, for some years. It can be very taxing, emotionally.

[serious]

No, I think he could be right. He means what he said. It is just that he thinks of as a really close friend but not more than that.

Close friends to share many things with each other and they also tend to text other for most part of the day but that does not mean they should like each other more than friends.

[Turtlewax1994]

I think it’s cause he’s not sure what he wants and doesn’t want to lead you on. I do feel like he could have kept contacting you though instead of stopping

Can you answer my most recent please?

[Asker]

I know he was hurt in his last relationship, and I think that has something to do with it. I guess I'm most confused because it seemed like genuine interest and then all of a sudden he's saying it's never been anything. I've heard he's done this to one other person for sure. He did say that in the past year he's had people that really pushed and he wasn't ready and it really hurt the friendship. He didn't want that to be the case with us, but it still was. Did he ever have interest? Is it better that I walked away? Usually I'm very sure of myself when I'm done, and this time it doesn't feel right.

[SeekingVirginWife]

I will stop talking to ugly women once I get the most beautiful woman to marry me.

They blame me that they are 40 and single. :)

[Anonymous]

Doesn't know what he wants or he also has bad experiences and being cautious.