My guy friend seems to be slowly ghosting me?

[Anonymous]

I have a guy friend, (technically friends with benefits, but closer to best friends bc we don’t mess around often). Let’s call him Richard. Richard and I used to see each other all the time, text all day long, talk on the phone when we’re not with each other etc etc, we basically did everything together. Now, it seems like he barely wants to talk to me out of nowhere. I called him out and said he was acting different, but he said he’s just been a bit busy. Sometimes we would talk to each other about our future and would make jokes about having each others kids, ask each other relationship questions, but now it seems like he’s just…off. I suspect he’s back in the field dating women, which obviously is 100% fine because I am not his girlfriend, but why can’t he just be honest with me? It’s hurting my feelings and I don’t want to keep pushing and questioning in fear of pushing him away completely. I can only ask him if there’s something up so many times. I’ll admit I do have feelings for him, and haven’t told him so I don’t know if it’s those getting in the way? From a guys perspective, what could be happening?

Updates

9 mo

Edit: I also want to add that he talks to me about his dating life all the time, but when I mention mine he “doesn’t want to hear it.” Maybe he has feelings for me too? I am wracking my brain trying to figure something out.

[MysticAngel5000]

He could very well stillbe dating other people. If you are casual friends with benefits and don't hook up often, he is likely getting his sexual fixes elsewhere. If you want to be exclusive and only sleep with one another, talk to him about that. Ask him if you're monogamous friends with benefits, or if he has multiple partners. Tell him you're just curious because you want to ensure your health and safety.

With pulling away, he may genuinely be busy lately, or he may be starting to lose interest as far as your arrangement goes. He may be "busy" talking to other women and seeing who else is out there.

As for feelings, you should be honest about it and see where you stand. Just tell him you think you've developed feelings for him and ask him if thinks you should stop sleeping together or what.

Just be honest and see how he feels then go from there.

[midnightmoon05]

Why? Because he is with another woman.
he owns you nothing. No need to explain anythng to you. Sad to say… friends with benefits? Why? Take care of your heart.

[Avicenna]

Well, as you pointed out, you can't be the priority if you're just a friend. If you want to be his girlfriend, you need to make a move, but first you need intelligence on what he's currently up to and if he's interested in another woman, so contact him, maybe suggest a meetup.

[Asker]

I’ve tried outright asking if everything is okay between us. He said nothing is wrong, just busy.

[Avicenna]

Ask him if he is dating anyone. As a friend, you can ask this directly.

[Nikki1989]

He probably has his own life to take care off, and you are not high on his priority list.

[In_Trance]

why can you just be honest with him?