He Likes Me? Guys Help and Girls Too! Long Question/Story!?

So, yet another guy problem with me...nothing outta the ordinary! Well, I'm REALLY into this guy, lets just say his name is Joe. I've liked him now, it seems like forever! It started out when I went to a school basketball game with some of my girls, and he was there too with his friends. Me and Joe have known each other since I was in Kindergarten and he was in first grade. I'm now in 7th hes in 8th. Me and him live right down the street from each other and both ride the same bus. Anyways, he was at the game also with his friends. So, he came over by me and told me to go sit with the 8th graders along with him...I agreed and told my friends I'd be right back. I went over by him and sat with his friends, but it wasn't awkward because I was cool with all of them. Well, earlier that day my ex-boyfriend was texting me stupid, immature stuff so I asked Joe to handle it for me after I numerously told my ex to just leave me alone. My friends called me back over by them so I just left Joe with my phone. He came over by me and asked me who it was that was bothering me before he texted something, because he said he wanted to know who he had to have a ';little talk to'; when we got to school. I told him it was Kyle (fake name), and he asked if it was his friend's little brother, and I said yes. He said ok then left with my phone over by his friends. About 5 minutes later he came by me once again and said,';Here you go, I handled it for you, if you have anymore problems then just come and tell me.'; then he handed me my phone and winked. He then left for his friends and I read the texts he had sent. One of them had said,'; Quit texting my girlfriend, back off.'; As I read it I showed my friend and she said,'; Ohh La La!'; So, that's how it started. Ever since then, we always have talked constantly. On the bus we flirt a lot. He's a really big flirt, and I am a flirt too. My friend who rides my bus and gets off at the same stop as him asked him one day if he likes me, and he said,'; A little, she has a great personality, a great smile, and is fun to be around, but I like Maria (fake name) more.'; Maria is my best friend of all time, and she rides my bus, and I don't know why but I always feel intimidated by her. He has kissed me before on the hand, and my cheek...but he kissed Maria on the lips before...right in front of me. A friend of mine, Ashley (fake name), asked him out for me a while ago when I told her not to, and he dissed me, his excuse...he doesn't like having girlfriends. We always hang out, and I even use little excuses just to talk to him, like one excuse I've used was asking him how to play a thing on a snare drum since we are both in band, then that would always lead up to us flirting. What do I do now? Where do I take it from here? Does he like me, or am I just another one of his flirt friends? Please help, I need to get this off my shoulders, I've liked him for so long now, and I even promised myself that I wouldn't do anything else with anyone until I went out with Joe, or at least found out the truth. Now that I think of it, I've liked him for 9 months now. Please help and answer my questions with full description and detail! Guys it'd be very nice to see your point of view too! Girls you know where I'm coming from so please help too! Thanks SO much!He Likes Me? Guys Help and Girls Too! Long Question/Story!?
Big flirts tend to block relationships from blooming perhaps not now, but somewhere down the road. I simply see it as this, he flirted with you and kissed your friend. I am sure he has a nasty habit of seducing girls with his wink and tacky ways. Take a step back and ask yourself, why do I like him? Do I like his outside appearance rather then for who he truly is, behind the wink? Why not play the same game card he is using? When he comes up to you, play hard to get. Cat and mouse. (such a fun game, but some people over do it showing the card they are playing.) When he talks to you simply nod and say ';mhm.'; while looking away. If he tries to kiss your hand, pull away and shake your head no with a smirk. This my dear, is seductive meeting seductive. Best of luck to you hon. ;)He Likes Me? Guys Help and Girls Too! Long Question/Story!?
from a guys point:


';Joe'; sounds to be a bit of a player not complete, sounds like he has some good qualities and all, but kissing your friends in front of you that's not right