errrr

I think he is an unreliable narrator when it comes to his own feelings. He has never had them be questioned before

I bet 50 bucks he's delusional af and in total denial about his feeling for Michel =_=

Yes, Ian genuinely loves Michele. He's not simply messing with him, although he certainly does manipulate him. The thing is, Ian is incredibly conflicted about his feelings. He's drawn to Michele, but resentment, distrust and his desperate need for control constantly get in the way. A lot of this is rooted in his traumatic past and the fact that genuine love and affection have been largely absent from his life. Michele is someone who offers him the love and acceptance he's never really known how to receive. What Ian says and does often contradicts what he feels. You'll see this become much clearer in the upcoming chapters, especially as the story progresses into the major arc.