Why is this guy acting this way?

[Anonymous]

There's a guy who's been in my life for a few years now. He's been flirty with me from the start, but we never hangout or talk unless we're in a group setting.
He always hugs me, comes over to start conversations, has held my hand, winks at me, stares at me and smiles and says it's nothing and looks away when I notice, says he's going to take me out but never does, etc. When I've tried bringing these things up he'd say he doesn't remember and get all weird. He also tells me random things like how he's slowly but surely changing for the better and how he still remembers the first time he met me and where we were. Then he just looks at me waiting for a reply.
I've even told him maybe we shouldn't be friends because he makes comments about me to our mutual friends and gets all weird. His reply was "I want to be friends, we just can't be close friends.. I don't know how else to put it. Know what I mean? I've said things about you in the past but don't overthink it. If I didn't want to be friends I'd tell you." Any ideas on what this all means or why he's like this? I just don't understand what he wants from me.

[Changiis07]

He doesn't seem to know what he wants. He is obviously hinting that he likes you by holding your hand and such. Which is messing with you. I say stop engaging with him and look to date someone else if he doesn't get it together

[Asker]

We don't engage anymore. We had the long conversation about if we should even be friends and I've kept my distance since then. It's difficult because our families are close, so we end up together often. I just thought for sure he didn't even want a friendship and then he even made that confusing. I was a bit hurt when he said we can't be close. He's told he'll always be there for me and if I ever need anything at all to let him know. Even just to talk. Then he tells me that. I'm confused if he's just messing with me for a good laugh or what his deal is.

[Changiis07]

I don't believe he is doing for a laugh. And yes that is difficult situation when families are close so it's best to just say hi or avoid him, if you do see him. Honestly just enjoy your life and make it seem like he is vanished

[JakeS00]

Doesn't know what he wants, I can't be with someone who isn't sure what they want.