Rodney

I also think you ought to be concerned about his attitude toward other people, in this case you. He's so wrapped up in himself that he's not seeing your situation; he just thinks somebody's going to take care of him, as they always have. He needs to learn otherwise; I understand why you don't want to be the one who teaches him, because you don't want to lose his friendship and of course you're afraid he'll do the easy thing (as he has so far in all other ways) and blame you.

So all you can do is sit down with him and lay it out. Make him see what position he's put you in explain it to him carefully, and tell him what you need him to do. That's all you can do, and hope for the best. And if it doesn't work out, you have to do what you have to do. If he blames you, that's his problem -- literally. You don't want to mess up this chance.