Billy wilted a little, huffing out a breath through his nose. Okay, so that was maybe a dead end, but they could figure something out. And even if they couldn't, he shouldn't have to live his life in constant fear of being used.

"Yeah, you seem like you're just lousy with wishful thinking," he teased reflexively, and then ducked his head apologetically. Maybe they weren't really there yet. He shouldn't be teasing.