Answer: weaseled

AnswerCrossword Clue
WEASELED

I always thought he'd .. out on me in fear ...

WEASELED

.. out of (evaded)

WEASELED

Wriggled (out of)

WEASELED
Was purposely ambiguous
WEASELED
Equivocated
WEASELEDBacked (out of), as an obligation
WEASELEDReneged with out
WEASELEDEvaded (with "out of")
WEASELEDActed evasively