They got no choice. Tbh better than that money hungry guy as he's cunning and dangerous. At least blondie is just a coward and not evil
They didn't need to bring a second guy at all. If they no one wanted to go, then forcing them is just going to be more of a hindrance when they're paralyzed by fear.
They felt they needed equal number of men to women, for physically strength help. In case they need to carry someone (1 man to carry 1 woman) or lift something
And look where that got them. The guy alerted the zombies by dropping the crow bar and started the car alarm, panicked and threatened to get them all killed if he wasn't the one on the tree, then almost got himself and the MC killed when he fell off the tree.
Dude, knew it was a had idea to send a coward with them. Already knew he'd be a liability.