He won’t believe me?

So I had this guy I liked and we were pretty good friends, but when he got a girlfriend loads of people were trying to get me to slag him and his girlfriend off.

Turns out, it didn’t matter what I said because they manipulated what I’ve said and now he believes that I have been bitching about him and saying he was a “dick” or whatever.

Anyway, I have tried so many times to tell him in person and over text to explain to him that these aren’t true, but he won’t believe me. I’ve kinda given up now because I don’t want to seem fake or desperate, BUT HOW DO I CONVINCE HIM THAT THEY ARE RUMOURS?

Low-key he’s 90% of the time sarcastic so it’s hard to tell when he’s being friendly or not. He’s also the type of “play hard to get” guy.

Anyway, H E L P

Any advice would mean a lot, but if it turns out he isn’t the right man then I can get over it (I’ve liked him for a year 😫)

Anyone in a similiar situation?