Of course, I keep secrets. Everybody does. It's called survival. The trick is keeping track of which secrets are which, and what lies go with them...and who helped you with which lie. Then there's the secrets you know nothing about, that you're not even a part of... that are eventually going to show up and bite you in the ass. And then what you do about the person who shares your secrets, but no longer shares your life? I've got enough secrets. I have a hard enough time with the secrets I already have.
The past tense is a very sturdy thing. It's earned, but it does take for granted that one has survived. The present is a different case entirely.
Ok, look. If we survive the next 24 hours, then I'll take you out on a real date.
The best techniques are passed on by the survivors.