Can Mentor become Friend?!

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I have had an Autism mentor now for 1.5 years. he has been very helpful, he advises me and helps me in communicating with NT's and as a result, I'm doing much better in my current position than previously. I have been in a cycle of getting a job easily but retention is low because of the dreaded "intrapersonal communications".
Then over Christmas, we had an argument. I'm hurt because I feel that I have lost a friend. It's really pathetic that this hired mentor is the only confidant I have had like that, the only such friend. Currently, he is the only real-life friend I have had for over 5 years.
The argument caused me to loose trust in him as a mentor. So I can't see a way of having him as a mentor anymore. I told him that although it was hard I had to write most of it because I become mute when under distress. I can't verbalise, I try to write but even that starts to get scrambled and my handwriting is bad.
Then he says if he can't mentor me whether he can be my friend instead. I explained I did not want charity, that I did not understand his intentions and was confused and don't know what to do. So he writes me the following email.

I'm not thick, I realise he is not really going to be a friend, there is something else, something NT going on here. I don't know how to respond. I'm really confused, I don't know why he would offer this. Does anyone of you understand this or have experienced something similar?

He certainly is right about That is exactly what it looks like!

I have to ask what was the argument about? You can PM me if you would rather. I may not get back to you right away because I have to sleep all day - I work tonight.

Your mentor is using the word "friends" only as a convenient substitute for "mentor-client"...and to me, all of that sounds condescending.

Yes, I don't think he is my friend at all, while I 'm pathetically desperate for a friend, he picks up on that and is trying to manipulate me back into a mentor-client relationship via a back door.

He is right I don't trust him, it is a trust issue and so I don't care for him to mentor me.

What do you care about? What do you like to do?

I would try to pick up a hobby or two. Physical hobbies like running or cycling are the best.

Its awful that you are manipulated or even feel that way.

I like to develop software and I work as a software developer, I also like computer games and spend a lot of time on them.
I have taken up running but got injured and am building up strength after that.
I don't really see that that relates to the topic, though. Running will not teach me how to handle my manager or listen to my social blunders and help me understand why my managers are changing what they say all the time or suddenly get angry for no reason.
I'm around people a lot I work from 7 to 6 and then just rest in the evening by playing games or walking the dog. I don't really easily make friends. I'm fine with initial small talk and greeting, I have learnt to do that well. I just can't easily go beyond that.
This is why it is very hard for me to understand what he means, what his intentions are. Is it possible that he genuinely wants to be friends, or is he just buying time until he thinks I have mellowed?

I just don't get it and I'm rather confused.
One forum member suggested in PM that I cut off the relationship altogether and have closure. I don't really know how a closure works or how to manage that. I become very helpless in a confrontational situation, because when I need to speak about personal issues or am under distress I fail to verbalise. I mean I know a lot of stuff that I want to say but it just does not come out, I don't say it. Leaves me vulnerable.
Most of the time that people become difficult I just walk away and stop interacting but with him I would actually want to be able to have him as a friend, but not as mentor.
I just can't imagine that his msg is genuine. I think he still just sees me as client.