How do I know if the guy I like likes me when he likes a bunch of other girls?

Okay well there's this guy that I like a lot but he likes a lot of other girls and this other one expecially. I have hung out with him before, but with friends around. I don't know what to do :/ Last night I had told him that I liked him and then he said he wasn't expecting it and then he didn't text back for awhile. Then I had texted him off my friends phone and told him I was just kidding and his response was ":/ o" And then I was texting him today and we were talking bout anything and then hes like ":) just kidding. I wouldn't let anything bad happen to you" I don't know if he was flirting there or just because I'm his friend so he wouldn't let anyone hurt me. Then he wants to teach me how to skateboard but he's also teaching 4 other people and yeah...and then he talks bout the girl he likes a lot, it's not me, but see the thing is...they are cousins. So I don't know if he's going to ask her out or not, because I've heard a bunch of things about them. I just don't know what to do :/ I really like him a lot but I don't want him to think I'm creeping on him. He talked to me the other day bout like what to do because he likes too many girls. Please help me:)