I don't know what to about this?

okay so there is this guy that i've known for about a month now. when we first started talking, we were texting each other everyday from morning til night for about 2 weeks and we even hung out a few times. he also told me he likes me. he said there's something there between us and whatnot. then all of a sudden he started to hold back a little for some reason. we didn't talk for a few days. then he went a trip and we had 1 brief conversation while he was there but that was it. when he got back, he texted me but was not talking the same way he usually did. i was doing all the asking and he was just answering so the whole convo was basically about him. so what could be his reasons for doing this? and please don't suggest that i ask him because i don't want to bring it up unless i see him. could the reason be because i haven't directly told him i like him? i mean i've hinted it but maybe he didn't catch on? would it be too forward to ask him to hang out and subtly bring this subject up?