Because a friend would not (nor be able to) engage with you on this level. You are (rather rudely) discounting his skills in talking with you. They are not simply "his feelings" - they are his therapeutic reactions to you, which is what you are paying him for.

If he feels battered, he is probably not the only one who feels that way. Thats what he is trying to tell you but for some reason you are unable or unwilling to hear it. You just want everyone around you to provide you relief. He is saying it would be unethical of him to do so.

At that point, you should stop and examine your feelings, not insist that he change his actions so you dont have to look at your feelings, or stop / change what you are doing, then look at THOSE feelings. Therein lies the sabotage and battering, giving him an ultimatum - your way or the highway.

I wonder what would have happened if ex-MC had NOT taken the call during the football game. I would love to hear your thoughts on that - on him holding his boundary.