Usually, this guy replies to all calls/emails/texts.

Twice now, I’ve texted him about topics that were emotionally laden. No reply either time. These were not consecutive texts. They’re two separate occasions.

I want to ask for his thoughts–not on the specific topics of the two messages, but on my sending them to him. I want to know if he feels burdened by them.

Also, it bugs me that he doesn’t say something in reply, even something brief and simple like, “Sounds complicated!” Or even: “I can’t help you with that. Tell me something lightweight.” But with the lack of any response, I feel like he’s blowing me off.

Except that I know that if I ask him to work on a project or to go somewhere with me, chances are he’ll reply right away or within an hour or so, and that he’ll be available.

He’s a friend, not a lover. I value his friendship.

But I’m into him, and he knows it. That might complicate things.

I’d love more communication about what was on his mind at the times when I sent those two texts. It drives me nuts and pisses me off to feel like I’m being blown off, too. But I realize that chances are he just doesn’t know how to say what he’s thinking without sounding mean. I’ve been on the other side of that situation myself–I’ve wanted to say to someone, “Why are you telling me this? I’m your Scrabble buddy, not your intimate BFF. I have my own life. I’m not really interested in being there emotionally for you,” and of course, that’s pretty rude to say. (I didn’t actually say that to someone. I probably said something lighthearted or glib and changed the subject.) I figure he’s probably thinking something along those lines, and not wanting to be mean. I don’t want to be one of those friends who has a crush on you and expects you to be more emotionally available for them than you actually want or feel you can afford to be. You keep doing that, you drive people away.

I haven’t brought it up with him, because I don’t want him to feel like I’m pushing him into a conversation he doesn’t want to have.

Is there some way to ask him to communicate about this kind of stuff, without alienating him?