“I don’t wanna be in a relationship”

So this boy that I have been talking to for about 8 or 9 months says that he likes me and I like him to. So basically I told him I didn’t want to date him bc I didn’t want to ruin our friendship and I wanted to hang out with him more before we started a relationship. He understood and said that he would wait for me and that he loves me (he’s my best friend as well so he says he loves me and says good morning and good night). But he says he still likes me, but now he’s changing his story and is saying that he doesn’t want to be in a relationship. So I asked him what we would be then and he just said “besties” and I said ok. At that point I was kind of annoyed bc he changed his story abt wanting to be in a relationship and he said “besides, it’s not like u still like me” and I just said ok. We still talk a lot but sometimes I feel like it’s awkward between us and I think he doesn’t think I still like him, but I don’t just want to text him randomly and be like “if you didn’t know I still like you.” Advice?