He says he made a mistake but were better as friends?

Me and my ex dated for about 8 months. We were completely and totally in love but some stuff came up in his life that caused some trouble between us. He started a new job that took up his whole life. We never saw each other. Then other personal stuff happened with him and he decided he couldn't handle a relationship anymore. I understood. He had a lot to deal with. The next day he told a friend of ours he just didn't wanna be tied down anymore. He wanted to be able to talk to other girls without worrying he was flirting or something. This broke my heart. I felt like he just got tired of me and that our whole relationship was a lie. I told him I needed time. He wanted us to be friends right away. Some time ped and I felt ready to keep it platonic. He told he missed me and he wanted to be part of my life always. I decided I could handle it and we started talking a little here and there. That was about a month ago. We talk almost everyday and he says I'm his best friend. The other day he told me he made a mistake in letting me go but he has realized were better as friends. How could it be a mistake if we are better as friends. He has started saying I love you again and keeps talking about how he misses how much fun we had. I'm starting to get feelings for him again but I get so many mixed signals! I talked to him about our break up and he said he does miss it but there are some things you just have to let go. What the hell does that mean?! We are really close. We always have been. In that obnoxious finish each others sentences talk all night kind if way. We really are best friends. Idk what to do though. I'd rather be his friend than lose him again. Help!!!