Long story but I need help

Im beyond confused about a guy and I could really use some advice. A little background first, I’m 18 about to turn 19 and the guy is 17 about to turn 18 (we’re both January babies)

This guy used to date my ex-friend, who broke up with him in October. I also cut her out of my life that same month bc I found out she was talking about me and doing hard drugs. But me and him were friends while they were dating and we continued to be friends after we both had her removed out of our lives.

Since doing so, me and him have gotten very close. We talk everyday and we hang out a lot- for example I even had him over for Christmas. I have never been in a relationship of any kind and I tend to catch feelings quickly, so I’ve had a crush on him for a while now and more recently it has developed into something stronger than just a crush. I really have genuine feelings for him and it’s nothing I’ve ever felt before.

Here’s where the problem lies. He sends me all kinds of mixed signals. He will be flirty with me, but then he’ll tell me I’m such a great friend and call me dude and man. He’ll again be kind of flirty with me, then he’ll talk to me about his ex and how he feels about her (he tells me he’s still angry at her and that he wouldn’t want to get back together with her but he still wonders if he’ll show up at his door and that if she ever needed help he would still want to help her), and then he’ll tell me that I’m the one he talks to the most yet I see him messaging other girls. He’s just impossible to read and I feel like I’m getting signs that he likes me and signs that he also doesn’t.

Im writing this because I’m at a point where I can’t take the confusion much longer. It’s been nearly 3 months since he got broken up with and I’m wondering if maybe I’m just going too fast? Is it too soon for me to expect him to feel anything for me? Would it be too soon to tell him my confusion? Should I not tell him at all?

I don’t want to lose his friendship by telling him I like him if he doesn’t feel the same way back. But I’m the type of person that will always have feelings for somebody and I don’t know how much longer I can pretend everything is buddy buddy

Any and all advice on any aspect of this would help a lot