Confused about love...

There is this guy that I have liked for a pretty long time. You can say we are close, he takes me places and spends money on me, and is always telling me that he is there for me and how close he feels to me. One time, a little over a year ago, he wrote in an IM that he loved me…then immediately signed off…he did it a few more times too. I finally told him that I liked him after a year and a half. He said that it wouldn’t work out because we are so far apart and wouldn’t give me anything else. He made it a point…but the situation on which it came out was weird. Involving his friend, as he said, lying about him liking and obsessing about me. I believed him…to a point…but I have no conclusion to it, it just doesn’t make sense. He doesn’t talk to me much anymore. But the last time that he IMed me he told me that he loved me again. I don’t get it?Does he love me like a sister maybe? He flirts with me though… he even drove a long distance twice to visit me. Once to go to a football game…and he hates football. I guess I am just so confused and possibly not complete. He was my best friend and I miss him… I at least want him as a friend! I just can’t get him out of my head, because I love him so much. Do you think he likes me but is afraid? Or am I just overreading?

~Confused Love