An ex-friend suing me for something that occurred 7yrs ago

An ex friend who is an retired cop. lend me some money 7yrs ago. Plus giving me luxuries gift the ones I returned. Once I find out his intensions. So now after all this time first he told me I had to pay him for everything that he had giving me. I agreed to pay for the money he lend me although the amount that he claims is not correct. i dont remember how much it was it was along time ago. Plus he told me to pay it whenever. To make a story short he is suing me. What can I do.? I cant not pay this money right now. I leave in new york. I did not sign anything in regards to it. last june he started txtng somehow he learned that the person i was seeing was no longer in the picture. when he realized that i didnt wanted to do anything with him not even friends he asked me to tell him when i was going to pay him he does have txt that state that. but now im not sure about the amount and isnt it too late for this ? is there anything I can do to postpone the court date ? or make this go away