i re-read the OP and did some thinking......according to the now again former friend, HE said he was 6 years clean and sober off of meth, correct? but do you have any PROOF of that? it clicked for me that with all HIS texting he could have been high on meth the whole time, which would help account for texting like a fiend all the time. and also account for why the closer it got to you actually going to see him, he shut you down.
we can't believe everything someone tells us.
i'm curious why you were so "hooked" right away and preferred someone who was hundreds of miles away over friends and acquaintances in real life?
i do hope you steer clear of the friend's friend. that is just asking for trouble. don't let the need to have attention from a man cause you to make bad choices.