I (28F) flirted with a younger guy (23) within my friend group when drunk multiple times over a few months. Meanwhile he liked the flirting but didn’t let it get to the point of sex and sharply pulled away at that point yet afterwards invited me to a sober hangout (which I declined – I felt a little weird/rejected when he physically pulled away that night). When I hinted I wanted to make out again after a concert we went to recently he cut things off then and there, in the car dropping me off. He said while he enjoyed the makeout, what we have is too casual between us and at this point in his life he only wants a serious relationship, so the sporadic flirting can’t continue. He says he feels I am more casual. I agreed saying I do prefer casual (not necessarily true, but I panicked in the moment). He says “well no kidding, I could tell.” I was silent for minute and he said “what’s on your mind?” I said “just trying to wrap my head around things… I mean, I enjoy spending time with you and I think you’re really cute. But if you don’t think this should continue, I understand.” He then said it’s probably best that way then. He’d be happy to be just friends then, no more flirting at group outings for both of us, we should act like the rest of the group with no undercurrent and that he wouldn’t want to lead me on. He said that’s all he wanted to say but if I thought of anything later, feel free to text or call. I was embarrassed and shocked so I just agreed and left. Thoughts on what this actually meant? To be honest, I treated it casually not because I didn’t like him, but I didn’t know what he wanted and was nervous. And his sober invite wasn’t a true date, but a hangout with him with another friend.
Tl;dr: rejected by a younger guy because he’s only looking for serious and he perceives me as too casual. Honest or just a polite rejection?