Was I friend zoned?

Sorry for the long story..I’m just so confused!

I met this guy on tinder who I had spoken to in the past but he ghosted me later to find out he got back with his ex. No big deal as we had never met. Fast forward to a few weeks ago we reconnect on tinder again (I’m forever single 😑) and we start hanging out a lot like all the time plus texting. He did tell me in advance that he wasn’t looking for a relationship which I was fine with because you never know where things could go and it’s not like I’m looking to jump into a relationship with someone I don’t know. But i was starting think we were really just friends. Like he wouldn’t get close to me on the couch or greet me with a hug or say go with a hug either. No contact at all. So I’m like ok friends are cool but why?? Usually there’s a little more when you’ve hung out a bunch already.

Anyways so here I am thinking he’s not attracted to me and we are strictly friends but I’m not going to say anything because I’m not trying to look crazy. Until one night we had plans to go out and he asks how mad I would be if he met up with a girl as well? I was shocked...are we friends...what is this? I told him I’d stay home (I was pretty hurt) even though nothing was really going on between us. He ended up convincing me to go out saying I mean way more to him than this chick blah blah blah. So I got out and my feelings are all over my face ...I was trying to stay upbeat but it was hard. As we were saying goodbye I had a bit of a ride home so he said I could call or text him... and that I always should. I’m like no I feel weird and I was ready to end it that night. But he says no let’s talk about this.

So he goes on to tell me he really likes me but thinks we should just be friends because if we start being intimate he would want to date me but he’s not looking for a relationship. That he doesn’t want either one of us getting hurt. And with that being said he wants me around always but still wants to be able to invite girls out so he could hook up with them. He legit said that at the end of the night he’d go home with them.

So I’m all over the place. So happy he likes me but sad to hear he won’t be with me and wants to be with other women intimately. Anyways I agree to be friends because I’m hoping he comes to his senses but this has just been extra confusing for me. We texted that night and he tells me he’s even still on the fence about this decision about not dating me but thinks friends is best now. What a mind fuck right?

What do you y’all think of this? Is he sincere? What should I do? Is his some sick joke?

Thanks for listening and I hope to have some in-site from you guys because I’m all over the place with this one.