Panicking; input needed.

[Strazio Rockwell]

First thing I'd do is chill out, play a video game or do something relaxing to calm your nerves. People don't think well when they're frazzled and this kind of thing needs to have a cool head.

Now I'd say playful pushing could potentially be something, it could very easily be nothing, regardless it makes you uncomfortable and that's not okay. If your boss does anything like this again, very firmly and very seriously tell him that you are not okay with it and not comfortable with it. Friends are one thing, but if he is making you uncomfortable, especially if it is through physical actions you need to draw a line in the sand. There are a lot of people that don't understand personal space until they are more or less smacked on the nose about what is not acceptable. Do not let him turn it back on you, and certainly don't allow him to undermine your seriousness.

If it continues after you've told him that you are very clearly not okay with it contact your local labor board (I'm not sure if that is the name, but there is something where you can report this stuff).

Do not worry about him or the state of the shop should things turn sour, your rights and happiness are the most important thing here. Also do not worry about losing your job, unemployment exists for a reason.

As far as what others are saying I would take everything with a grain of sand because rumors tend to propagate themselves, but I wouldn't completely dismiss them.

I'm not a lawyer or professional or anything, this is just what seems to me to be the best advice.