Relationship advice. Plz help! Long post.

So. 4 years ago I was with a guy (C) and he dated for about 5months. I broke up with him because I got caught up with what my friends were saying about him that he was so clingy and that meant he was crazy. I was young and dumb. Mistakes happen 🤷🏼‍♀️

Fast forward to September this year. I now have a 4 year old daughter and a 1 year old son. None of which is (C) kids. I'm also single at this point and have been since 3years ago. Anyways. C contacts me (first I've heard from him since I broke up with him.) We meet at the store below my house. We talk while I load the kids in the car. He's flirty and has his life together now!! I'm like drooling as I had been thinking about him for the past several months. And having his life together now with a great job, brand new truck, and bought my kids something without even meeting them. I'm shocked! We ended up going back to my house. The kids are playing in the yard were just talking and laughing having a good time. He offers to take us for a ride and my kids loved being in a huge truck. Great time. He left and we texted off and on all day.

He texts me around 1130 same night. Asking to talk that it's important and he just needs someone to listen. (Both my kids were in their beds safely and sound asleep) I told him that was fine. He got to my house. I asked if he wanted to come in and just talk on the couch and watch a movie or whatever.

We were talking etc. My son woke up. So I tell him I'll be right back was gone like 2 mins. (Son went back to sleep) came back as I'm bout to sit down I grab a blanket for myself bc I was cold. As I'm sitting he grabs me and throws me in his lap and just squeezed me and held me... I'm shocked and nervous my heart is pounding, but I was legit so happy. He then grabs my face and started kissing me and ofc I kissed him back. Also kept holding me. Nothing more than that. He ends up leaving a hour later because he has to work the next day.

I woke up to a text that legit killed me. He texted me at like 4am that said it was mistake his head is all messed up and it should have never happened and he was so sorry. I replied with I'm sorry too. Im not sure happened but I hope we can still be friends. Then I put 2 and 2 together. He had told me the night he came over he was in a 3 year realtionship and they broke up. But he didn't didn't tell me when they did. I assume months ago.. nope more like the day before he contacted me. 😔

Fast toward a few days later. He texted off and on like every other day just a few texts a day. I was giving him time to heal but letting him know I was there for him. He came into my work every night and would flirt etc with me like that text had never been sent. Acting like we use to when we was together minus kissing and holding hands or I love yous.

Fast forward to sept 23. We had talked off and on nothing serious no more meet ups etc. He texts me as he know I was about to leave work. He asks to hang for a bit. I said okay that's fine. He picks me up we hang out ride around in his truck. Well I don't even remember how it came about but we ended up having sex. BEST SEX ever still to this day. I know I was probably a rebound. But I still love this man. I want to make this work...

Fast forward to now (end of October). He's hardly talked to me he hasn't came into my work he told me about 3 weeks ago that he had a date and said "what are you jealous" and smiled and giggled. I tried to play it off like nope I'm happy for you. Even though I was dying inside. And I said have fun. Well he hangs with my cousin all the time. I passed my my cousins on the day of his date and C was there. Like no you didn't go on no date. He was obvi trying to make me jealous. But now it's been 3 weeks and I've seen him 2x. I haven't texted and neither had he. But when he came in those 2x to my work he was still flirting and acting normal towards me like he always had been. I'm so stuck.. I want to be with him and I want to make this work but man I'm in my feeling so hard about this.

Also to add. My cousin hangs with him constantly. Every single day. My cuz came into my work a week ago and said something about C and i was like oh cool or whatever. He said well I mean your boyfriend or ex or whatever he is and started laughing and smiling really big. I asked what he meant that I seriously without a doubt needed to know. And he said 'm not getting in the middle of it and laughed and walked away. (Bro code I guess) and im like did C tell him he had sex? Is he talking more of me to my cousin in a good way. The way my cousin was acting it seemed like a good thing not a bad one.

WHAT THE FUCK IS HE TRYNA DO?! I feel like he is tryna make me work for him. Like out in alot of effort to show I want him (as much as I really freaking do) Like he did for me many years ago when we first started. He wouldn't give up to get me and it was the best thing ever. Hes legit been the first man I've talked to let alone have sex with in now 4 years. I don't even know how to approach a man or talk to one lol. I'm also 25 years old. He's 28yr old.

Im not obsessed with him but I def am crazy about him. I've missed him so much. I've thought about him for months and then he all of a sudden texts me the day we meet up at the store. My heart was so full. He bought both my kids something without knowing them or seeing them or without me asking. He did it because he wanted too. He's such a good person and a great man. He's great with his niece and other kids. And I just want him so bad. Gosh I feel like a high schooler about him and it's KILLING ME. Someone help 🥴

Y'all I need help. Should I ask for a meet up after I leave work and talk to him about how I'm feeling and why he keeps leading me on sorta speak type thing? Should I just blow it off? Or should I just send him a long paragraph bout how he makes me feel and how I miss him so badly. I'm so lost. 😔 Any advice would help. ♥️