What does this guy's behaviour indicate?

A while back I got with a friend of a friend who I met on a night out. I didnt think anything of it until a few days later when HE got back in contact with me. We have been online together about once a week for nearly 6 months now. At first I just thought he was being polite because of our mutual friend, but this seems a bit … different. Loads of questions about really normal everyday things. What makes it weirder is that we live at opposite ends of the country so us getting together again is a rare thing. I saw him at a party in January and he openly flirted with me/tried to hold my hand and prolonged our hug when he came to leave. Then about two months ago, I stayed with him and his brother while I was visiting that part of the country. The two of us spent the whole day together and he said he had a good time, but none of the usual flirting. then I hear nothing from him for ages. This week I hear that he’s coming down here to visit some family, so I send him a quick message just saying hi. He responds really enthusiastically telling me what he’s been doing etc. I find his behaviour really confusing. what’s he thinking from a guy point of view? Is he interested or as confused as me?