Dear friends, please be kind with me and help after reading full post for context. I really thought this one would be different. We met several months ago, started off as friends, and he's been giving me mixed signals from the start, partially due to intense career related demands. He's under a lot of stress at this turning point in his career - as am I, though not to the same extent. However, this confusing push and pull has been hurting me - more than it's bothering him, if I may add.

Example of mixed signals: Months before we got swamped with work, he asked me point blank if I'm single and I said yes. A few weeks later, we left an event together late at night and he hugged me for the 1st time, invited me over for water which I politely declined, and asked me to text him when I got home which I did. Then, nothing happened for some time and I initiated a group get-together, to which he agreed but called me "mom" as I'm the only female in this group with his bros. This is a point of insecurity as he alluded to me being quite older - even though I'm only two years older. I did appreciate that he admitted to not having an official relationship before. He also calls me "bro" or "dude", claiming it slips out. A few weeks later, we had a call since I needed to confide in him about a peer; he was understanding/supportive.

Then work severely ramped up, and I waited weeks, not reaching out and trying to give us both space. We bumped into each other, then I hinted that we were going separate directions if heading home, to which he said he's going for a run. I said that sounds fun, and we brainstormed other date-like ideas of what to do (mostly me being excited about it). I realized this clearly wasn't him asking me on a date, as he invited his friend to join last minute for the run...He did mention that the earliest he will start dating is after this strenuous work period which goes until mid-December. A week later, I reached out to see if he was attending an event; he declined but his friends showed up. That's when I thought I should get over him as it was going nowhere and hurting me. We didn't talk/see each other for over a month, and I was nearly over it. He is so rarely the one to rekindle the flame, and I find that I'm investing in him repeatedly, double-texting, etc, although he does show up here and there. Then we bumped into each other at an event where he split a cookie with me, asking me what my weekend plans were. I had a swamped schedule so I said maybe the 1-week break that we had coming up right after that weekend instead. I was hoping he would follow up, he didn't, and I was exhausted of continuously bearing the weight so I took some alone time. Weeks later, I bumped into him again and gave him a sweet, intimate hug to try to spell it out to him that I haven't given up. He hugged me back and seemed receptive.

I finally decided to plan a get-together for this same group (him and his friends). Over the months, I already chatted with his friend, hinting at my feelings, but not asking him to talk about this with my crush directly. His friend seems supportive and said that we would be a cute couple. His other friend also told me directly that he thinks we would be cute together. They all showed up but I was thrown off when he was cracking inappropriate sexual jokes and acting like I was a bro...It was so weird and not what I expected at all. I get that they were deprived of social events and maybe felt comfortable thinking up sexual innuendos, but it was relentless. We also saw each other at events the next 2 consecutive days, both of which I asked if he was attending. There were other people there too so he was much more mature and composed. He and his friend picked a guy to match me with, I said he's not my type, to which my crush asked "who is your type?" but I didn't get a chance to respond because his friend interrupted. Right after that, he called me bro again, and I asked him straight up "Do you see me as a bro?" He clammed up and seemed like he wanted to say something more, but just said "What?" with a smile after a silence, and I said "What?" back. At one point, we were almost cuddling and his voice got cute/soft; he initiated a hug late that night. Still unsure of his feelings, I decided to put myself out there and figured we waited long enough. I called him 3 days later. He didn't pick up and texted an hour later: "hey what's up sorry for missing your call". I texted back "no worries just wanted to say hi and chat, we can catch up when you're free". He ghosted me, not a word or reaction to my text. He then proceeded to say Happy Holidays in our group chat after his friend did (I think he may have told him what happened and sought help). I saw someone post photos of him happy at an event, while I was crying at home wondering what I did to deserve his silent treatment.

I'm not naive when it comes to relationships. I get that he's inexperienced and somewhat immature, currently emotionally unavailable, probably wanting time to process his own thoughts/feelings, not the person I thought he was, or maybe I'm a hopeless romantic. But I do not understand why it's so damn difficult for someone who is supposed to be my good friend, with some silver lining for more, to send me a 2-second text saying he's busy but maybe another time. That text would be better than leaving me in the dark, speculating if he will come to his senses and call/text, or do nothing and let me down. I was so bummed, on the holiday no less.

Is it time to let him go? Is there any hope for a relationship here or am I kidding myself? Which one of the reasons do you think is causing him to ghost me? Should I text him again, explaining how it feels on the receiving side, or just let it be? There's a really special event in the springtime that I've wanted him to be at - should I stay friends with him after giving myself time/space to get over him or focus on inviting others? Thank you!