Coworker just friendly or trying to send signals?

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Except me. I am that hot. I'm just that awesome.

Mainly, because we don't have to worry about you being who you present yourself as. Unlike the guy in the OP, who may or may not be dangerous an who is probably lying, at least about something.

First guy who was in-your-face honest with me? Married him.

[BookstoreEscapee]

You beat me to it.

Sorry!

[Bella_Vixen]

Red: "..only guilty man in Shawshank."

You beat me to it.

[Taboo]

Except me. I am that hot. I'm just that awesome.

Well, you are that awesome.

But you're also not that stupid to get yourself in that situation, so there's that.

Look, SGA, when you're having this many doubts, it sounds like you're still having bad vibes about this. And it doesn't sound like a good situation. Trust your gut here; when you're getting bad vibes, it's for a reason.

[Plaidman]

I suspect you know the answer to this already, or else you would not be asking.

Why would you sign up for all this baggage? He,s not that hot.

No, it doesn,t matter I have never met him, nobody is hot enough to make up for that amount of horseshit.

There are no exceptions to this rule.

Except me. I am that hot. I'm just that awesome.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I suspect you know the answer to this already, or else you would not be asking.

Why would you sign up for all this baggage? He,s not that hot.

No, it doesn,t matter I have never met him, nobody is hot enough to make up for that amount of horseshit.

There are no exceptions to this rule.

[BookstoreEscapee]

You realize, of course, that everyone in prison is innocent? You don't believe me? Just go ask them. They'll tell you.

Red: "..only guilty man in Shawshank."

[Ree]

Why are you depending on the opinions of a bunch of "strangers" and armchair experts on an internet forum who do not even know the guy or his situation, and have never actually met you?

I think you already know what to do. I think, in your heart, you realize that it's not a good situation, or you wouldn't be seeking advice and validation for your feelings.

[Jester]

...it seems that he was set up in February and dealing drugs is not something he did before or made a habit of doing.

You realize, of course, that everyone in prison is innocent? You don't believe me? Just go ask them. They'll tell you.

I have heard "woe is me" and "I was set up" tales from all kinds of scumballs and sleazebags. Rapists, drug dealers, domestic abusers, burglars, car thieves, etc. 99.99% of the time, they are as full of shit as a port-o-john at a Phish concert.

. . . is it wrong that I'm kind of interested in him again?

Wrong? No. Misguided? Yes.

Am I going to get myself in a world of emotional trouble if I keep doing this and even seeking him out at times?

In a single word: Yes.

[Solumina]

From the looks of things he doesn't really seem like a bad person but he does seem to lack judgment and common sense so I'd strongly caution against a romantic relationship. By all means continue to be nice and friendly with him, just keep in mind that he has done questionable things and may again do questionable things (though not necessarily the same things as in the past).

[Plaidman]

You will be burned by this. Don't do it.

[trailerparkmedic]

Am I going to get myself in a world of emotional trouble if I keep doing this and even seeking him out at times?

Yes.

I don't believe that he was set up. Even on the tiny, tiny, tiny chance that he was, what does it show about his judgement to even be in a situation where getting arrested for dealing DATE RAPE DRUGS is a possiblity? Do you want to date someone with very bad judgement? There are plenty of non-skeezy guys out there, believe it or not.

[tollbaby]

Stop stalking him on social networking sites, and forget about this guy. Trouble once, likely trouble always.

I was dating a guy who got a DUI.... I should have just ditched him then. After DUI Number two, I told him he was a dumbass if he didn't know that once you've been convicted, it's zero tolerance for blood alcohol levels. We broke up shortly thereafter. He's currently on DUI number four, lost his license, and he's in jail. *sigh* idiot.

[ShinyGreenApple]

Ok . . . a little update.

I watch his page on a social networking site and it seems that he was set up in February and dealing drugs is not something he did before or made a habit of doing. While it was still dumb that he let himself get caught up in that . . . is it wrong that I'm kind of interested in him again? Most of remodel was offered permanent jobs within the store so I still see him fairly often, and if we're on lunch at the same time, he'll ask me to join him (We never go anywhere, just sit outside) and we talk about this, that, and everything.

Am I going to get myself in a world of emotional trouble if I keep doing this and even seeking him out at times?

[ShinyGreenApple]

That is excellent! The question is, why did he do this? Did the employer question the validity of his excuse for the work days he missed?

I think his excuse for the actual day he spent in court was personal reasons or somesuch, and he only told a group of us on break about his 'being in trouble'. I guess when you get probation, a phone call is made to your place of employment to let them know, and he's worried he'll lose his job. He gave them the number of the guy who is directing remodel, who I'm pretty sure knows the real story. Lead guy likes R's work, and I have to admit, the guy does not mess around at work and does what he does well. Lead told R that if this store doesn't keep him, he's welcome to apply at his home store. I mean hell, you have to pass a drug test for the Mart to employ you, so I doubt the guy has used in a while if that's his thing. Like you said, not that it doesn't mean he won't slip right back into old habits, but I think he should be allowed to work as long as he's clean and dependable. I also don't doubt the ER story; if he didn't have a genuine illness, he may have had some sort of breakdown, who knows.

And yeah, while I sure as hell ain't gonna be holding hands anymore or bringing him home to meet the parents, I was impressed that he admitted that in front of us like that. He's been acting really bothered since last week.