Again, it doesn't matter if he is telling the truth. He is just not that into you. You latch onto someone's phrase "move heaven and earth." He didn't even try a little imagination to get in touch with you.
Whatever is going on, you are not his priority. He is not wondering about you while sitting for hours with a fishing rod (or he would have thought to check his cell phone carrier for your phone number or dropped you a postcard.)
Try following this general rule: NEVER be more into the R than he is. It isn't good for you or the R.
For whatever reason (too much going on in his life, still letting go of last R, whatever), he is not where he needs to be to be a decent BF for you. Accept less and give less or move on.
Look, when I was dating my (fabulous) H, he was all over the place, he was flaky, but he eventually got to a place to be a decent BF and incredible H.
Biglots could be the same. Or not. Who knows? But RIGHT NOW, he is not. Drop the rope that you shouldn't even have in your hands yet and see what happens. YOUR choice to decide if the potential benefits outweigh the risks.
Now, on another note, be very clear: There are REAL red flags here. You keep brushing them off. There is a difference between keeping an open mind and being a dunderhead. You can like him and still be wary. How flexible is his time with respect to when he can talk/see you? When can you see him on his own ground? Why in the world down you have each other's email addresses?
