Is he being friendly or interested in me?

Maybe he just being friendly. And he's taking a break from test messaging
to hang out with his bros.

hope so friendly

I'd cut him loose. It looks like he's playing games, or wants to chat/hang out when it suits him. Plenty more fish in the sea!

Well best advice is to ignore him and he will come to you! it works for me! make him do the work.
If he doesn't put in the effort then you'll know ur answer. If he does initiate contact with you often, and it can be obvious or subtle, you will know, and if you really like him back then take advantage. just be careful if you really want to ruin the friendship you two have over a fling or if things don't work out. make sure you will still be friends afterwards or if its going to ruin that friendship then just continue being friends, and get to know him a bit more and see if he is a genuinely nice guy- as you metioned you too hanged out before but you aren't that close.

on the other hand, if ur not interested in him and he is showing interest just respond to his msgs as you would any friend. and if he pushes it then just tell him there is someone out there for him but that girl is just not you and hopefully he'll understand.

In the meantime, if you want to see his intentions, just be his friend, you have plenty of time and if he gets another gf in the meantime then it means he wasn't patient enough to wait for you and therefore not worth your time. Also I wouldn't be too enthusiastic about compliments because as we know guys would say almost anything to get what they want and then leave you once they get it.