Help me understand the language of the male species. Please?

He likes you, but didn’t do anything before because he was afraid, probably.

It’s completely normal and he probably likes you. Just relax and go with the flow.

Is he creepy? Are you interested in him?
The arm around you thing is a little odd. If he likes you, then he will read ‘cordial’ as ‘hot for me in a big, bad saucy way.’ If you’re not interested, you have to make it clear (like you’re talking to a developmentally challenged 4 year old.) Even then you may need to make a more obvious display of dislike (like a punch in the face.)

Hard to say.

Probably easier to simply ask him.

He likes you, and had a hard time building up the nerve to talk to you.
When he finally did, he enlarged it in his mind. Now, he sees you both as being close.
If you like him, you are doing fine.

He took a while to get up to speed.

@Blackberry nailed it out of the gate “he was afraid” and if you ask me he still is, enough to stop at that. I think he likes you enough to be shy and hesitant that he’ll mess it up. It’s so scary for a young man to go out on a limb and open up when he cares about what’s going to happen, it’s very vulnerable. If you like him let him know. Like @filmfann says you are doing fine.

He was showing off with his friend.

They’re not a different species. Think of how you feel. That’s how ‘those males’ feel.

His show boat behavior at the ice-cream parlor does sound highly suspicious. Was he talking loudly, for all to hear..? That’s a good sign that this is just a frat boy joke.

Maybe, in his heart, he’s going through a bit of self-realization and has decided—deep down—that he’s into you but I’d bet he’s not going to be willing to shed the nonsense until you make him approach you like a normal human being.

Speaking as a bastard, a status I highly recommend to anyone carrying an outie between their legs, I have to wonder what your interest is in any of this. Do you want him to like you? Or not?

‘Cause if you want him to like you, you could start taking steps to encourage his interest. Most likely, something physical, such as if he touches you, touch him back, or if he puts his arm around you, lean into him.

And you think he’s a creep, then use body language again. Don’t sit near him. Make sure someone sits between you. Keep your space. Cringe when he makes a move.

You know, this is about body language and body language is a give and take thing. Push and pull. I don’t think you need to have a direct explanation of what it means. First of all no body language can be explained in words. A best you get a pale imitation of the real thing. You have to learn to trust your intuition about what he is saying through his body. If you pay attention to your body, you will know what he is saying. Your body knows. Pay attention.

Stay away from him, theres something going on between him and his friend, more than likely he told his friend you and him were an item, or they might be testing you to see how far you will go with sudden advances, that signals red flags, stay away from them.

He likes you. Plain and simple.
Maybe he didn’t do anything before, because he was afrain. Or maybe he just randomly started liking you.
Either way. He just likes you.
Sincerely,
^_^ Ash-Leigh.

Sounds like he is a bit more forward when he has a wingman with him.
Some guys are shy when alone, but in a pack situation will be a bit more forward.

It sounds like he likes you and it took him a long time to build up the courage to speak to you. Maybe his friend encouraged him and he was more afraid of losing face with him, than he was of getting rejected by you.