does it count as rejection?

This NYE i rented a house with a few friends. There was this guy, Kevin, that i have seen before but i never really had the chance to get to know.
I had a great time the 31st getting to know him, but i got really really really drunk and i don’t remember much of the night. I woke up the next day superhangover.
We kept getting to know each other, with other friends. A few times i had the impression he was hitting on me, for instance, i mentioned something i didn’t like in guys and he would say “oh then you need to find a guy like me” but all was in a very relax tone and with other friends around. I had no interest so I didn’t engage to his comments. He also made comments jokingly of how the night before i was trying to hit on him. I thought that was just a joke, because i had no interest on him at all. He is cute, but I just didn’t feel it. Then, that second night, most people were watching sports and we got to talk one on one. He had so much in common I really enjoyed talking to him and specially i liked how i felt around him. He seemed such a great guy, so sweet. I really enjoyed talking to him and i think something clicked on me, then i was interested.
Sadly something came up the next morning and he had to leave.
I kept thinking about him and i rewatching the moments of the weekend in my mind. I remembered that when i woke up in the morning january 1st he came kind of looking for me and i told him i had no memory of the night before and he seemed disappointed and asked “do you seriously don’t remember last night?” “no i don’t, sorry”
Then i decided to text him and ask him “were you messing up with me or did i really hit on you on NYE?” and he replied “you asked me to kiss you, but don’t worry, it will stay between us. :)”
oh boy, i was embarrassed. I know when conscious i didn’t have a crush on him that night but i do remember i was enjoying a lot his company. I don’t know the details of what happened but my guess is that it was because of the midnight tradition rather than an actual romantic feeling.
I also don’t know if he rejected me because he didn’t have an interest or maybe because i was so so drunk (he is a great guy) or maybe because we were surrounded by friends and would have been hella awkward.

The problem is that now i would like him to know i am interested but i don’t know if after that rejection i should let him go or if it doesn’t count. I am seeing him again tomorrow with friends. I need advice on whether give up or risk a further embarrassment…

thanks

:)