The Classix

*chapter thirteen*

    "You'll know soon enough, I promise you," he tells him. Then, like a roulette wheels he turns on his stool, stopping right when he's in front of me. He takes my hand in his, eyes locking down onto mine. "And you'll know soon enough too."

    The audience squeals in unison. The crew chuckles together. Somewhere amidst the chaos I can hear our hosts prompting me, but it's all white noise. Cartney's eyes stay trained on me, and try as I might to read them, uncover what he's thinking, I can't. All I can do is hope that my searching plays off as a serious, tender gaze on the news.

    After that grand finale, the interview concludes, and we're onto the next one. There's no spare second to stop Cartney and ask him what's going on––why he's acting this way, why he did it––no, he's scooped up by two bodyguards bearing Buchan uniforms the very second we step out of the recording booth. Chapter and I are left to stare at one another in wonder.

    The next interview is at yet another radio station, putting all focus on Cartney and I. The script is similar to the last in its playful, hearsay-spilling tone. Cartney breaks down lyrics of "Emeray", pulling marriage and wedding references out of the air so swiftly, I'm way past dizzy by the final chorus.

    All the while, Chapter watches on, shifting in his seat, no doubt feeling out of place. When it was just the two of us in the beginning of the day, the question were centered on the movie, on the night ahead. The hosts had been respectful of Norax's notes to under no circumstances discuss the engagement rumors. But of course, the moment Cartney arrived, all respect was thrown to the wayside, and he welcomed it.

    Once we're out of the main studio, Cartney's guards again try to usher Cartney away from us, but they're not quick enough. Chapter grabs a hold of him.

    "Oh, no," he says. "You're not going anywhere right now, bud."

    Perhaps too scared of whatever titanic lawsuit might unfold fighting against a Famoux member, the bodyguards relent instantly, letting Chapter pull Cartney all the way to one of the back entrances. They even pull a car around to the door when Chapter asks.

    Once we're all inside, Chapter lets Cartney go. He immediately pushes back into his seat cushion, looking at the two of us with alarm.

    "What the hell was that?" He rubs his shoulder where Chapter held it, brows furrowed. "What, did Ray want to kidnap me for her birthday?"

    On one of the edges of the more-than-spacious Buchan car rests a mini bar and a full selection of snacks. Snapping right into a casual aura, Cartney pulls out a large bottle of champagne from a bucket of ice, gesturing to me with it.

    "Did you want to celebrate your first kidnapping?" he offers.

    "What are you playing at, man?" Chapter asks.

    For a moment, Cartney ignores him, instead turning his attention to the array of fancy pastries on a tray. "What ever do you mean?"

    "Don't give me your interview spiel," he says. "Why are you acting like you and Emeray are getting married?"

    "Whoa, man. Didn't think you were the jealous boyfriend type. What, do you wish it was you getting to propose instead?"

    My eyes widen. "Wait," I say. "Are you actually planning on proposing to me tonight, Cartney?"

    "I mean, you never know." He shrugs. "I'm full of surprises."

    Chapter frowns. "Why are you doing this to her?"

    The intensity in Chapter's gaze makes the smirk on Cartney's face twist into an incredulous expression. He puts both his hands up like a surrender, the chocolate croissant in one of them hovering in the air.