Maybe. Maybe the logical thing is to drop him like a hot potato.

But hearts aren't logical, you know? He's someone precious to me and I want to ensure his happiness. Even if he hasn't been forthcoming with all his history - and I can't blame him for that, who starts friendships with 'so I may have gotten some people killed'? - he's my dear friend.

[A friend he loves, for whom he would bow to Yeager and say please, please let my friend be happy.]

Is that so hard to understand?