What does he mean when he said this? help im really confused?

i was walkin home with my friend and he lives right across the street from each other so we were gus standing in the street and we had hugged before we went inside then he holds my hand and he jus said, " i gatta tell u somthin but i dont know how", i jus looked at him and then he said " i love you" i jus looked at him cuz i was shocked but then after a little while he adds"... as a friend" wat does this mean