My best friend and I have been really close for about 4 years. He knows everything about me and I know everything about him. He's always been there for me. Any time I was crying my eyes out over something or someone, he would drop whatever he's doing and come to my house to make sure I was OK. He'd take me to movies and bowling and stuff just to get my mind off things. We always used to cuddle a lot before but it never meant anything. But the other night we went to the drive in and we started cuddling. The weird thing was, he started it. He was holding me so tight and he grabbed my hands and started holding them in a way I've never felt from him before. If I said I was uncomfortable he'd move and ask me if that was better. Before I'd say I was uncomfortable and he'd say aww too bad haha.
We talked about us being a couple a while back because everyone was saying that we should date. We both kept saying "noo way! they're like family to me! Plus we are really good friends and we don't want to ruin that."
But the other night, I don't know it just felt like all of that stuff we said was thrown in the toilet. Now I don't know if I should tell him that I may have strong feelings for him or not. I am afraid of two things.
1. If I do tell him and he doesn't like me back, I'm scared that he'll just stop talking to me and I'll lose him forever.
2. If he does like me back and we start dating and then something might go wrong and then we never ever talk again.

Baisically, I'm scared of losing him. He's the most important person in my life and he means everything to me. He's the best friend that I've ever had!
Right now I'm kind of thinking to just not say anything and hope that it will go away. But I know deep down inside that these feelings are going to come back. He's an amazing guy and such a sweetheart. I honestly don't know why he's single right now..
I don't know what to do. I just don't know if I'm willing to take that chance. I don't want to mess up and lose him..

Why don't you wait until you get over your ex before worrying about something else? https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/relationships/how-do-get-over-him-when-dont-even-know-what-went-wrong-473507.html

Why not take more time to figure what kind of strong feelings you are having for a friend. Gratitude for being there? Lust from spending time? A crush because you are close? Friendship for a good human being?

If you don't get carried away, and just jump into something you are not ready for, time will answer your questions. What's the hurry, when you can enjoy it for what it is, a friend in hard times.

That doesn't have to change does it? If something is meant to happen later it will, so you don't have to force anything.