Should I ask him again? NEED ADVICE

So there's this guy who's been flirting with me. He keeps taking about dates, he told me "I love you" twice, and he even talks that he's on the dating market but at the same time he said he mentioned once, in a passing manner to a friend, that he's not ready for commitments. Now, this guy is making me confused. Since I'm confused and I don't want to dive or invest into something without really knowing where I stand especially it'll be my first real relationship if ever (I had some virtual/LDR relationships before). So one day I asked him if he likes me but he made a long pause and told me that I'm so direct and even asked me why I asked him that question and I told him because he's making me confused. Since he looked uncomfortable, I shifted the topic. But I was hurt. So I took some distance from him and it became awkward for us for a few days. We're fine now but I am putting up my walls now. I don't want to get hurt again. But this guy is still flirting with me and the me now doesn't really reciprocate to him but just being polite. He's someone who's important to me because he's my friend. I don't want to hurt him but I don't want to hurt myself too. Should I ask him again for the last time if he likes me since he still keeps on flirting me and even becoming more blatant these days but again I'm not really reciprocating it but it still affects me. I really need some good advice. Thank you!