Can we still be friends?

[pman117]

I wasn't sure if I should post this here or in the advice section so forgive me if it is misplaced. I'll try to shorten this up but it will probably be a long post. If you make it through and still feel like commenting I thank you in advance.

I met a guy online for a one time hookup, it quickly became more than a one time thing and we eventually started hanging out after we hooked up and then even starting doing things not related to sex at all (going to baseball games, his lake property etc.) Things started progressing and I started having feelings of wanting to be more than friends. We talked about it a few times and every time he said he wasn't ready yet but did enjoy hanging out together. We later had a conversation where he told me "I'm into you and if things continue they will develop into something more." This was followed by us hanging out for multiple days on a weekly basis for about a month. Then, it all seemed to slow down after one of his ex's started reaching out to him. I didn't think anything of it at the time and at one point he even told me he "didn't see a scenario where him and that ex would get back together" (obviously a lie as I later found out).

We continued to hang out on occasion although not as frequently. We had planned a week long vacation in October which we went on and during the vacation I found out he was in serious talks about getting back with that particular ex. Of course when I asked him about it he said they were just in talks and it was nothing set in stone. Anyway, the rest of the vacation was kind of awkward as you can imaging. He knew what I wanted from him and he obviously didn't care to tell me that he was no longer interested. We got back from the vacation and I had asked him if we could get together and talk about things just to figure out where we stood. He said yes but of course when that day came he didn't answer the phone, didn't respond and I haven't heard from him in over a month. I tried calling him a couple weeks ago (no answer) and didn't bother leaving a message. I guess I figured just by me calling was me saying "I'm still here" and I didn't want to leave a message that I was acting out of desperation. I know he's entered into a relationship with his ex (facebook) so I get that there's no chance for me any more. But I do wish to be friends with him still, we did have really fun times together and it would be tough to lose both a potential relationship and a friend but, I think I already know the answer.

The lack of responses, the lack of honestly and things he's lied to me about say more than anything. In any scenario, most people would be furious and wouldn't want to even think about this guy let alone want to try to be friends still. I'm not sure if that's because I'm naive, too forgiving, or still harbor feelings for him (or all the above) but I really would like to work things out. The biggest reason is he constantly told me that he likes to remain friends with his ex's because he feels that if there were strong enough feelings to be dating someone that it's worth remaining friends. We never considered ourselves as dating but there were times where it certainly seemed like we were or that we were just one more good time from doing so. That's why I'm so stunned that he won't respond to me and seems to have cut ties. Especially after everything we did together and how close we seemed to be getting.

Anyway, I've taken enough of your guys' time. Thanks again for reading, like I said, I think I unfortunately know the answer to my question but I just needed to vent and see if any of you had anything else to add.