Does he want me back?

me and my ex boyfriend have been on and off messing around but have never gotten back to having a serious relationship because "its not the right time" or "he doesnt wanta hurt me" or "im too scared of what may happen" . . . i am willing to take the chance with him because i love him but is he willing to do the same for me? it always goes back in a circle we will start to talk more and flirt a lot and i love it when we talk and we always have the best of times together so why is it he is so scared to be with me? i know that we dont know if it will be the same but why wont he risk trying to find out?