10 PTS BEST ANSWER COULD THIS BE MORE THAN FRIENDS?

So basically me and one of my older brothers (not blood related just grew up together) friend have been hanging out. We all usually hang out in big groups but me and that friend never really connected like that before (He s 13 years older than me and I m 23 you do the math). But then we started talking to each other. First it was teasing back and fourth on social media, then it was us DM messaging each other, to him texting me, then he asked me if I wanted a bite to eat and I went one night. people saw us eating and word got back to all my friends that we ve been hanging outside the friends group. When one of our friends confronted him about us hanging out they said he giggled and said "we re just friends why are you so interested" I m not sure if he likes me more than just a friend but he s always wanting to hang out just us two. He s never pulled a moved on my but he has done subtle things in front of our friends like sit next to me and touch my knee and tease me about other guys. And when a guy that looks like a threat attempts to talk to me he always says "he s lame, or what a loser" I like him but idk if he likes me and I don t know if it s because of my age, or because I m his best friends kid sister. But I m trying to read this. Opinions? Thanks.