What's going on?

So this is kind of a long story, but I'll try to make it short. I was with this guy for a little over 2 years, and then we were kind of on and off for the next 2 years. We were both each others first love and first real relationships.

During the relationship, he was a really sweet guy, but post breakup, he seemed to change. We have both been with other people, but neither one of us has had another long-term relationship. I call and text him much more than he calls me, but he still picks up and responds as long as the contact isn't every day. He told me that he wasn't looking for a relationship right now, but he started seeing another girl and justified it by saying that he just happened to meet her. He also told me that he didn't think he would ever be in love again and didn't know if he ever wanted to get married, but he's also said that he doesn't want to lose me and wants me in his life. I asked him why, what I could offer him that none of his other friends could offer him, and he said "I don't know, why does anyone want friends?" He sometimes comes off, at least to me, as manipulative, but I was wondering if anyone could give me some sort of insight as to what you think is going on in his head because he's a very closed-off person and doesn't really express himself.

you represent his past and he doesn't want to fully let go, and you are a back up plan. walk away and don't contact him anymore for your own sake.

you should stop contacting him in anyway give it about a week maybe 2 and if he tries to contact you several times at least once every other day during this period then he is still interested otherwise just forget about him

How old is he? I wen through a phase like that, but it wasn't for reasons listed above.

he just turned 21. I'm also 21.

My first post! I agree with the other posters above. It is hard to say exactly what he is thinking but it seems you value your current relationship more than he does. He may see you as someone who will always be there. I don't believe it is healthy for there to be emotional imbalances in any type of relationship.

BTW, I am a 22 year old male.