Bad texter or.....?

So I've started hanging out with this guy I've known for a really long time (I've actually had an on-and-off crush on him for over six years) and to be honest, our relationship feels so awkward now! We've always been pretty good friends, not super close, but now I'm struggling to keep conversation flowing which never used to be an issue before. Since we've gone on a few dinner dates I thought it would be appropriate to start texting him more regularly, but he always replies with very short and choppy sentences that aren't inviting to reply to. Always says stuff like "well I'll see you soon!" Or "sounds fun!" which makes it seem like he's trying to say goodbye. I guess I just started to feel like he didn't actually like me or perhaps just liked another girl instead ((I know he has a lot of female friends he talks to regularly, i do not know exactly what his feelings/history are with them)) Well.......we actually had a very serious text conversation a couple nights ago (the first one in which he replied in long sentences) and I started it by basically saying flat-out, I'm down for him, and have liked him for a long time. He complimented me a bunch and said he liked me too, said he loved spending time with me and that he'd make plans with me soon. He also said he "definitely wants to keep things platonic", and I know platonic means non-sexual but that just really confused me. I know he's not a virgin but he's not a man-slut either, was that a way of friend-zoning me or is he trying to say he just doesn't want to have intercourse?

To make this story more complex, I actually hooked up with one of his best friends a couple months ago. He found out and apparently wanted to ask me out around that time but didn't because he thought I liked his friend (I do not like his friend at all and that was my first hook-up ever, kind of a mistake, don't feel too great about it). I've explained this to him since but now I feel like the whole "platonic" thing is some kind of shot at me, like he wants to make sure he's not a hook-up to me.

Idk, I wish I could read boy's minds. I'd love to just straight up ask him what he meant but I feel like things are already kinda awkward already and I don't want him to think I'm prying for a physical relationship, because I'm not. I don't like him for the sexual aspect but cuddling and kissing would be nice, ya know?😫

I guess I just wanted to hear some thoughts/advice. Have any of you ladies managed to get a good relationship out of an awkward start?