When you play "what if" you are playing a game of let's pretend. The reality is that he is what he is. When someone shows you who they are believe them. As they say in Game Of Thrones, words are wind.
If you understand then things are just as they are.
If you don't understand then things are just as they are.
Believe him when he shows you who he is, someone who is willing to drive drunk even though he almost killed someone once before.
Your friend,