04x05 - Stop the World (And Let Me Off)

[bunniefuu]

Previously on "Nashville"...

Layla: He literally stole my spotlight.

Jeff: Yeah, well, it wasn't as bad as you think.

Gabriella: Country is not ready for a gay star.

Luke: Your songs are great.

I'd like to put a few of them on my next album.

No. We're not taking her off life support.

We have to let her go.

Any time you need help, I'm your girl.

Juliette: What'd you do? Just move in on him the minute I left town?

How dare you!?

I don't want to feel anything.

We're at the hospital, and our daughter is very sick.

There's someone on the phone for you.

I don't care.

She said she doesn't care.

[Cap pops]

[Pills rattle]

Hey.

The doctor said the injection site might be sore for a couple days, so... Here.

This should help.

[Toilet flushes]

[Sighs]

It's you and me, baby girl.

Just you and me.

I think you should go to Natchez.

Baby, Beverly's house is small.

Scarlett can empty it out by herself.

It's not about Scarlett. It's about you, baby.

You and I, we've been through so much loss, and I feel like when there's unfinished business, like with my dad, it really helped to go through all that stuff and it helped me... helped me say goodbye.

Thanks.

Hadn't changed since I left.

Didn't think you'd ever lived here.

Oh, I stayed here a little while before college.

Slept on this couch.

Anybody coming to help you with this?

[Purse thuds]

No, ma'am. It's just me.

Mm-hmm.

Are you done with the butter?

Morning, everyone.

Hey.

Hey, Emily.

Avery and the baby aren't down yet?

Oh, rough night. Coffee's on, though.

Yeah, I'm still here.

Ooh, sorry. [Chuckles]

Go ahead.

I'll see you in 10.

Luke's gonna debut our song tonight in Atlanta.

Congratulations.

Yeah.

He invited us down to the show.

Me and Kevin are gonna head on down there.

[Cadence crying]

Oh, baby girl, what's the matter?

Pretty much everything. She was up most of the night.

It's okay.

No fever, though.

Not sure if it's her ear acting up again or what.

I got to run, though.

Her, uh, medicine's on the nightstand.

I don't want to be late first day on the job.

[Crying continues]

Okay. Good luck.

Well... Atlanta beckons.

Oh, Cadence. Shh, shh.

I've always loved that town. You know what?

You got room in the back for one more?

[Chuckles]

Well, I just put my daughter on a plane to go see a Luke Wheeler concert with her boyfriend.

Yeah. Maddie will be fine.

I think it's Layla you're gonna need to be more worried about today.

Layla will be fine. What are you talking about?

She can't still be upset about the whole Markus thing, is she?

Yeah, well, I wish that was the only upsetting thing that happened at the Opry last night.

What? What happened?

It's like I wasn't even there.

Hey, I guarantee you it'll be a year before that guy even gets an album out.

When yours drops in a couple of weeks, all the attention shifts back to you.

Bucky said that Rayna still had a lot of thoughts about my album, which doesn't sound good.

Look, your stuff is great.

Yeah, but she's Rayna Jaymes. She's literally a living legend.

Listen to me... the myth of Rayna Jaymes is just that... a myth.

Just listen to her notes.

If you like them, take them, and if you don't, well, then don't.

I wish you didn't have to go to Atlanta.

Oh. Since when do you wear a tie?

Well, sometimes you got to look professional.

So, when's the wining and dining start?

Pretty much as soon as we land.

Now, I've lined up about a dozen potential brand partners for us to meet with.

We're talking big corporate entities here, so I hope you are ready to wow them with the Luke Wheeler experience.

Oh, I'm an experience, am I?

You have been for me.

Now, let's talk about the C.E.O. search.

This is the short list I've narrowed it down to, which we are vetting.

You never talked to me much about what happened at Deacon's.

Oh, it's nothing.

Some people just aren't who you thought they were.

It's so lame I can't stay the night.

My mom's just so paranoid.

She thinks if we stay in the same hotel that we'd...

We'd do it.

Shh!

[Laughs]

It's not like we're gonna be alone, anyway.

Mm. Maybe we could be.

I cannot believe I fell for this tabloid crap.

I mean, I must have been out of my mind.

There's nothing going on between Avery and Emily.

I know them. They wouldn't do that.

I'm capable of anything, but they're better people than...

That.

[Clears throat]

So, um, I was reading this article, um, about body language, and the way their faces are turned means they're having sex.

Do you even listen to yourself when you talk?

You are so funny.

I'm gonna go get my stuff.

Excuse me.

I have a messenger coming by to pick up some legal paperwork for me.

[Cellphone dings]

Can I leave it with you?

Sure. No problem.

_

Actually, um... you can hold off on that.

♪

So, I guess we're gonna see Juliette tonight, but I reckon we avoid her, on behalf of Avery.

[Scoffs] Man, that's got to suck... being in love with somebody who doesn't want you around.

Yep.

How about you, Gunnar? How's your love life?

Any new girls around?

Or old ones?

You hook up with Zoey while she was in town?

Nah, she's dating somebody in L.A., but had a spark with Emily this morning over the milk.

We touched hands, and, well...

Well, if that's all that it takes, then I had a spark with Emily, too.

[Chuckles]

No, really.

I think she's into me.

First of all, no, she's not.

Second of all, that's a terrible idea.

What's wrong with Emily? She's... she's totally hot.

She's nice, she...

She's your roommate's nanny.

All right, forget the nanny, forget Nashville.

New trip objective... get Gunnar laid.

[Laughs]

Over a month goes by.

She leaves town, changes her phone number, doesn't take an emergency call from me about our daughter, and now she texts me?

Yeah, I don't get it.

[Sighs]

What is this, some kind of weird sixth sense?

I mean, does she know I signed the divorce papers?

Did you?

I haven't set them off yet, but yeah.

Hey, what's up, guys? I'm Markus.

Whatever. I can't deal with this right now.

I got to go. Markus is here. I'll call you later.

Emily: Okay.

Yo, yo, yo!

I am so sorry I am...

[chuckling] Wow... an hour late. My bad.

Yo. How's the baby, man?

Good. Good. Thanks for asking.

Listen, I am really excited to be doing this with you.

Please, dude. It's on me... seriously.

I can tell you're a no-B.S. kind of guy, and that's what I want in a producer, you know?

So just sh**t me straight, call it how you see it, and we're golden.

Okay. I'm up for the challenge.

Cool, man. Want to get started?

Yeah.

Huh?

- Hey, guys, I'm Markus.

Hey, it's Emily. Leave a message.

[Beep]

I shouldn't have yelled at you like that.

I don't know what I was thinking.

I just would really like to talk to you...

Or to Avery.

[Clatter]

Dude!

That bag costs more than you make in, like, two years.

I mean, am I right?

I miss you.

Just call me back... please.

Luke: Everybody smile.

[Camera clicks]

Okay.

I'm sending that to your mom to show her what a good time we're having.

Uh, what time are we leaving?

Uh, we'll probably head to the arena in about a half-hour or so.

Is it all right if I get changed here?

I brought something else to wear tonight.

Yeah, it's fine. You can use colt's room.

Okay.

[Knock]

Gabriella: Hey.

I'm sorry... I don't mean to interrupt, but I just got a call from Ethan Baker from Coca-Cola.

He'd love to have a drink with you downstairs.

Um...

Yeah. It's fine, Dad.

Just let us know when you're ready, and we'll head down.

Okay. I want you to head down the minute Maddie is dressed.

How about that?

Yes, sir.

Okay.

So sorry.

No, no.

[Breathes deeply]

[Sighs] Didn't expect to see you here.

Jumped on a last-minute flight.

What are you doing?

[Sighs]

Keep... Donate... throw away.

Just trying to figure out where everything goes.

"Keep" pile ain't too big, is it?

Well, mama had a habit of saving things that didn't need saving.

Being as you and I don't see eye to eye on these things, I think maybe I better take a look around, huh?

I'll start in the bedroom.

[Sighs]

Will Lexington's been dropped, you spent days in New York with Luke taking meetings, and now you're both here talking to Coca-Cola and Ford.

Let me guess... You're gearing up to launch a Luke Wheeler lifestyle brand?

If you're looking for your client, she just left for the arena.

Actually, I'm here for you.

Look, I know you are quietly running a C.E.O. search.

I want to be on that list.

Don't you already have a job?

I'd be better at this one.

I'm gonna tell you why the people you're looking at won't work.

Phil Diamond has a mistress, Dave Burns has an on-again/ off-again cocaine habit, and Steve Whitaker likes to vacation in Thailand... a lot.

That's your short list, right?

Hey, Luke.

Hey, Jeff. How you doing?

Michael.

Good to see you, man. It's been years since Cannes.

Michael: Good to see you, Jeff.

What, you two know each other?

Oh, yeah. We go way back.

Yeah.

I know this guy, too.

How you doing, Dave?

Great.

Hey, your daughter still rowing crew at Yale?

So, my favorite room in the house... come on in.

Oh, wow.

Oh, this is great!

Well, I'm so happy to have you here.

Hey, by the way, Bucky told me that you might have been a little bit upset about what happened with Markus last night.

That's okay.

I just want to say, there is no way that that could take away from how wonderful your performance was.

Well, thanks.

Yeah, Bucky said that you had some thoughts about the album?

A few little things, you know?

I think we could make a couple tweaks here and there.

Cool.

Uh, maybe go a little bit deeper.

Oh.

Well, I mean, just so you know, my manager and I are both really happy with this album.

I mean, Jeff loves it.

I want to ask you something about Jeff.

Sure.

Is there something going on with y'all?

'Cause Bucky mentioned last night at the Opry that...

Yeah, I mean, we've been dating.

Oh.

Is that gonna be a problem?

Well, listen, I would be lying if I said I did not have a problem with Jeff.

I had a problem with him being your manager, but as your boyfriend?

I just... I don't really understand.

Is that why you brought me here? Is that what this is about?

No. Of course not.

Let's look at the music.

Great.

[Sighs]

[Chuckles]

Wow!

[Laughs]

You look great.

Thank you. Where's your dad?

Uh, he's downstairs, meeting with people.

Does that mean we're alone?

Uh... Yeah, but...

Do you want to go downstairs, or...

Maybe, um...

Maybe we shouldn't do this right now.

Yeah. Okay.

Maybe we should just go.

Okay.

Markus: So, they've overpacked the house of blues, right?

And the Chicago P.D. is telling us that we can't go on...

[cellphone rings]

But I'm like, "screw that, you know?

They're there to see us."

Her fever hasn't come back, has it?

No, Cadence is fine. She's napping.

I didn't want to bother you at work, but... Juliette left me a message.

What'd she say?

That she wants to talk.

Something's definitely up.

Have you texted back?

No. She can't just randomly reach out and expect everyone to be at her beck and call.

I mean, she made her feelings pretty clear.

Maybe she's come to her senses...

And... and wants back into our lives.

Or she wants to come home.

[Sighs]

Beverly: You just go! You leave!

Go ahead! I'm used to it!

Why should you defer one semester just because I might need some help around here?!

Have a good life!

[Door slams]

[Sobbing]

It's just a bunch of old photo albums. I assume you don't want them.

[Crying] Shut up.

Stop acting like you're the only one who lost her.

You have no idea what I'm going through.

[Sobs]

You just take what you want and get out.

Go.

[Door slams]

And tell them they better not screw up the spotlight on top.

This phone's broken.

It hasn't rung or gotten a text message all day.

Uh, maybe no one's calling you.

Just fix it and stop being a bitch.

Juliette!

Hey!

Maddie! Hi! What are you doing here?

[Chuckles]

Colt and I came to see your show.

Hey.

I texted you earlier, but I must have had the wrong number.

Uh, I'm gonna get a coke. Do you want something?

I'm good.

You want to talk?

Yes.

Yeah.

[Laughter]

Yeah, not in here.

I just, I keep thinking I'm ready for things, and...

Things like what?

Like... being with your boyfriend?

Staying out past 11:00, like, performing, you know?

And everyone wants me to stay a kid.

Everyone like who?

My mom. Yeah.

You're just so lucky you were emancipated when you were my age.

You could do whatever you wanted without anyone telling you what to do.

Don't wish your family away.

Because... it can be very lonely when you reach out and nobody's reaching back.

Yeah.

You know, this might sound silly, but, um, sometimes when I'm feeling down or insecure or whatever, I think, "what would Juliette do to make herself feel better?"

[Both laugh]

You really want to know?

I do.

All right, girl. Come on.

Maybe we should consider an instrument change.

No, I like the mood that it sets now.

I do, too... on the verses... but I think on the chorus, we still need to connect a little bit more.

And it might be, let's just sit down and look at the lyrics and see if...

I mean, I can only write what I write...

I'm trying to work with you here on this.

[Sighs]

Hey, Layla, I'm sorry about Jeff.

You're right... it's not my job.

Except that it kind of is my job, because my job is to help you be the best artist you can be, and I've seen Jeff destroy artists.

[Scoffs]

I understand what it is to be drawn to something dangerous.

But I've also seen it be real destructive and cause a lot of pain.

You've got so much potential right now.

I don't want to see that happen to you.

Not with him.

Can I just get some air real quick?

I just...

I just need a minute.

Honey...

It's okay.

I'll be right back.

Hey, y'all!

Hey.

Hey, Kevin.

Hey, Will.

I'm glad y'all made it down here for this.

I'm really excited about your song. I think Atlanta's gonna love it.

I hope so.

But mostly, I'm just glad I get to keep working with you, pal.

Yeah. Me too.

You know what? I got to run. I'll see y'all later, okay?

All right.

What is it? What are you thinking?

Nothing. I mean, it's gonna be good for both of us.

Plus, we're gonna find the love of Gunnar's night somewhere around here.

All right, look, I don't need your help.

I got this. Watch.

[Clears throat]

Hey.

No.

[Chuckles]

Smooth.

You are officially not allowed to pick out the women you hit on.

Hey. She's sexy.

Gunnar: Huh?

I'm gay, not blind.

Come on.

No, guys, seriously...

Come on.

I don't want to do it.

Hi. Hi. I'm Kevin.

[Chuckles] This is, uh, this is our...

Oh, my god. You're Will Lexington.

I saw you at the Music City Music Festival.

I love your songs.

Oh.

And I thought the whole coming-out thing was totally awesome.

Well, thank you. That's nice to hear.

Oh, uh, listen, this is Gunnar.

Oh, you're the boyfriend?

Oh, no. No, I-I'm not gay.

There's nothing between me and Will.

[Chuckles]

I mean, he did kiss me once, but that's not the same thing, right?

You guys kissed?

Kevin... he's the boyfriend. He's gay. I'm not.

Not that I have a problem with... with that, you know.

Gay's cool, if... if that's your thing. Is that... is that your thing?

Not that I'm asking if you're gay.

[Chuckles] Although, if you are... that's fine.

Okay, um, I got to go finish...

It was really nice meeting you, Will.

Yeah, you too.

Y'all suck as wingmen.

Well, it's pretty hard when you're choking right out of the gate.

Seriously... you guys kissed?

Boom!

My ball!

When I came in, I said my wife wasn't gonna contest any of my demands, but things might have changed.

What would it mean if she fights it?

Honestly, full custody will be ugly.

How ugly? Like $150,000 ugly?

$1.5 million and years-in-court ugly.

Have you thought about mediation?

Hey. Come on, man.

Sometimes parties can...

Hey, I'm sorry, but Avery's got some work to do, so he's gonna have to call you back, darlin'.

Okay? Bye!

[Laughs] Come on, man. Let's go make some music.

[Claps] Come on!

[Sighs]

[Telephone rings]

[Telephone beeps]

Beverly: Hi! Deacon.

[Laughing] Oh, and Scarlett! Honey! I got you both.

Yeah, merry Christmas!

I got the card.

Yep, I put it up on the fridge. It's so cute.

You guys look like you're having so much fun.

I've been busy all week... um, just parties galore.

I'm exhausted from it.

In fact, I'm running a little bit late right now for something, so I'm gonna let you guys go and have your Christmas, and we'll talk real soon, okay?

M-merry Christmas.

Bye.

[Telephone beeps]

[Microwave beeps]

[Telephone rings]

[Telephone beeps]

Hello?

[Cheers and applause]

I have a little surprise for my last song.

I'd like to bring out one of my favorite people in the world, and she is an incredibly talented girl, so I want y'all to give her a lot of love.

Maddie Conrad, get out here!

[Cheers and applause]

Hello, Atlanta!

[Cheers and applause]

Best medicine in the world.

Mm-hmm.

["Telescope" plays]

♪ Won't do no good if you run from me ♪
♪ There ain't no cheatin', schemin' my heart don't see ♪
♪ You left your troubles in my head, in my head ♪
♪ You left your secrets in my bed, in my bed ♪
♪ You're like the cover of a book that's been read, baby ♪
♪ I know what line is comin' next, comin' next ♪
♪ You can't hide from me ♪
♪ There ain't no tricks that you can try on me ♪
♪ I know your every move before you even breathe, baby ♪
♪ Thinkin' you know somethin' I don't know ♪
♪ But my eyes, my eyes, my eyes are like a telescope ♪

[Cheers and applause]

♪ You're kissin' her when my head is turned ♪
♪ You must be crazy, baby, haven't you learned? ♪
♪ You can't deceive me, silly child, silly child ♪
♪ I don't believe that pretty smile, pretty smile ♪
♪ My intuition can see for miles and miles, baby ♪
♪ Every little sin ♪
♪ And everywhere you been ♪
♪ You can't hide from me ♪
♪ There ain't no tricks that you can try on me ♪

How in the hell did this happen?

♪ I know your every move before you even breathe, baby ♪
♪ Thinkin' you know somethin' I don't know ♪
♪ But my eyes, my eyes, my eyes are like a telescope ♪

That was totally awesome.

The crowd, like, totally freaked out for you.

Hey!

What in the hell are you doing, pulling Maddie Conrad up onstage like that?

I was making her feel better.

I was making her feel good about herself.

Oh, well, there's more to life than feeling good.

You know how pissed Rayna's gonna be when she finds out this happened on my watch?

Rayna's always pissed. Come on.

You had no right to make that decision.

To be clear, she's still a child, no matter how much makeup you slap on her.

She's 16 years old.

I was on my own when I was her age.

And what makes you such an expert?

How often were you around to discipline your kids?

[Sighs]

Don't go trying to play "cool mom" with somebody else's kid just because you've abandoned your own.

[Door opens]

[Door slams]

[Clears throat]

Hey.

Hi...

Not Will Lexington's boyfriend.

Look, I'm sorry about all that earlier.

Uh...

Sometimes pretty girls make me nervous.

Look, I'm sure you get like a million guys a day hitting on you, but if you're at all interested...

I'm gay.

Ooh.

[Chuckles nervously] Right. Sorry.

I'm messing with you.

You... you are? [Laughs]

Uh, well, I'd love to buy you a drink later...

Uh, maybe at the after party tonight?

Drinks are free at the after party.

Well, maybe... maybe some other time, then?

Except... I guess there really is no other time, 'cause you're on tour and I'm heading back to Nashville after the show.

I think what I really wanted to say was, uh...

[Chuckles] Nice to meet you.

[Cheers and applause]

That was badass. You rocked.

Thank you. Thank you.

Hey. How was it?

Hey.

Thank you. It was the best feeling ever.

Like 18,000 people screaming... I'm so ready to do this.

You looked so great out there.

You know, you just owned the stage, like this amazing woman.

Come with me.

[Door opens]

Hey.

Hey.

[Inhales deeply]

Everything you said about Jeff is true.

He can be a total jerk, he's too old for me, and there are times when I really... don't like him.

But he's also really kind to me, and he challenges me and inspires me, and no matter how many times I think about all the bad things, the truth is, is I love him.

Even when my head tells me to stop, my heart just won't let go.

That's your song.

Right there.

[Chuckles]

Those are your lyrics. Get your guitar.

You're not dropping me?

If I didn't work with people who had complicated lives, there wouldn't be anybody to make music with.

Let's write it. Come on.

[Up-tempo music plays]

Cut, cut, cut, cut... cut.

[Music stops]

Okay, that sucked. Um...

Let's, let's pick up the tempo.

Actually, I think it might work better if we slowed it way down.

What?

Country's got this blues thing...

No, no, no, no.

I meant, what are you... what are you doing talking?

You said you wanted me to speak up.

I don't know where you get off.

I mean, you keep me waiting all day...

I didn't...

Yeah, and then you sit over there on your phone like a little teenage girl that's making calls and texts when we're supposed to be working.

I've been ready.

No, you haven't. Now you try to seize the reins?

Tell me what to do?

I'm the artist, okay? What I say goes.

What the hell is wrong with you, man? You just change your mind on a whim?

You're the one changing everything.

If you think you can do better than me with 13 seconds of thought and no clue about country music, be my guest, but I'm a good producer.

Good. 'Cause you're not my producer anymore.

All right, guys, let's take it from the top, all right?

We're gonna speed up the tempo. Count us off.

He comes in, he's all judging, and now he turns up here, and he's looking at everything I do...

Hey, Nick.

Been a long time.

Yeah, when was that?

Some high-school reunion Bev dragged you to?

That sounds about right.

Mm.

Anyway, thanks for the call.

I'll settle up her tab, if that's all right.

No. It's on the house.

Oh, wow. Look who it is.

This is my disapproving uncle Deacon I was telling you about.

What are you doing, following me around trying to make me feel worse?

All right, Scarlett. Let's go.

No.

I can sit here and have a drink with a friend if I want to, because I'm not an alcoholic.

Yeah, okay. All right. That's enough.

Let's go.

I'll do it myself.

Do it all that way.

[Cheers and applause]

All right, Atlanta!

Yeah, I'm having a great time with y'all tonight!

Got a new song a couple of my friends wrote.

Hope y'all love it just as much as I do.

[Cheers and applause]

["Spinning Revolver" plays]

♪ Love ♪
♪ It's a really big word, but haven't you heard? ♪
♪ It's dangerous ♪

[audience cheers]

♪ And you ♪
♪ You think you got it locked down, figured out ♪
♪ And buttoned up ♪
♪ But I've been b*rned enough ♪
♪ So I learned enough to watch my back ♪
♪ That's why ♪
♪ I'm warning you, what you're about to do ♪
♪ Is deadly as ♪
♪ Dancin' on the devil's stove ♪
♪ Playin' with the fire below ♪
♪ Pushin' your luck, dippin' your toe in the water ♪
♪ Yeah, it's a pedal down to race the train ♪
♪ Chasin' down a hurricane ♪
♪ A b*llet in a spinnin' revolver ♪

This is as good as it gets, right?

Yeah, it is.

♪ It's a pedal down to race the train ♪
♪ Chasin' down a hurricane ♪
♪ A b*llet in a spinnin' revolver ♪

[Music continues]

♪ Well, the heart ♪
♪ It's a fragile thing hangin' on a string ♪

My dad never really uses this tour bus.

He always flies.

You sure about this?

So sure.

[Pinball machine clicking, dinging]

You're Avery's new roommate, aren't ya?

Um...

You want to tell me what's going on?

[Sighs]

Look, I get it.

He's mad at me that I changed my number and I didn't tell him about it.

Wait... wait...

Wait a minute. Are... are you serious?

What's he got to be so mad about that he can't pick up the phone and call me when I finally get the chance to give him my new number?

He's mad 'cause when he called your hotel to tell you Cadence was in the hospital, you said you didn't care.

Wait. What?

How the hell am I supposed to work with Crazy?

Guess it wasn't a good first day on the job.

Put it this way... I won't be going back for a second one.

God, this guy!

He just... he does whatever he wants, whenever he wants.

And I'm just standing there, not knowing if I'm supposed to talk or shut up and wait.

I mean, how do I fight someone who has all the power?

I push back, I get fired.

I lose!

Every single time, I'm the one who loses, and I'm sick of it!

[Clatter]

[Sighs]

Is this about Markus... or Juliette?

[Sighs]

Can you watch the baby for me?

Sure.

But... where are you going?

There's something I need to do.

[Sighs]

Happy? I don't know what the hell you're trying to prove.

[Door closes]

I got drunk.

I'm allowed to get drunk.

And according to you, everything I do is wrong anyway.

Didn't say that...

And I should blame myself. Well, I do.

I blame myself.

I'm the last person who walked away and left her here to live like this.

Happy?

Hey.

I left her first.

She was depending on me, and I got on that bus, and I left her here.

So I know how you feel.

[Crying] No, you don't.

I pulled the plug.

You weren't there. You weren't there holding her hand when she slipped away.

You didn't come to help me!

You made me feel like the most important decision of my life was a mistake, and you judged me for it.

You weren't there, you do not know how I feel, and you are selfish, Deacon!

You are a selfish, selfish person!

If you eat, like, 1,000 calories and only drink warm water, you'll totally lose weight but keep muscle.

[Door opens]

What the hell happened last night?

Um, actually, you were kind of a total buzzkill.

Avery called me.

Yeah?

Yeah, I know, and I told you, but you said you didn't care if it wasn't work.

Are you the stupidest person alive?

My child was sick.

You've, like, literally never even told me her name or indicated that you cared.

You're fired.

[Chuckling] What? You can't fire me. I'm your friend.

[Scoffs]

Oh, you think this is funny?

Well, you're for sure fired.

And if the rest of you aren't out of here in five minutes, I will have you all arrested for trespassing.

How 'bout that?

And if you want to keep your job, you better get my jet ready.

Where are we going?

I am going to Nashville.

You're not invited.

Get out!

Woman: What a bitch.

Is she kicking us out?

♪ I could put down the bottle ♪
♪ And feel good tomorrow ♪
♪ I could get some sleep ♪
♪ And see the sunrise ♪
♪ I could walk away from all this sorrow ♪
♪ But I just keep seeing those eyes ♪
♪ Oh, I just keep seeing those eyes ♪
♪ And my heart won't let me let go ♪
♪ And my heart won't let me let go ♪
♪ I'm not in control this time ♪
♪ I'm not in control this time ♪
♪ My heart won't let me let go ♪
♪ My heart won't let me let go ♪
♪ I'm just witness to the crime ♪
♪ I'm just witness to the crime ♪
♪ No, you can't stop a heart that has made ♪
♪ You can't stop a heart that has made ♪
♪ You can't stop a heart that has made ♪
♪ No, you can't stop a heart that has made ♪
♪ Up its mind ♪

Beautiful.

You did some great work today.

Thanks.

And thank you for being, uh, concerned and for caring about me.

It means a lot to know that there are people in this business who are looking out for you.

It's gonna make a difference.

I think it might.

So, what'd you think?

Song sounded real good.

Well, I want it on my album.

I'm gonna call your publisher in the morning and tell him to put a hold on the song.

That's awesome.

Great show, man.

I'll see you later.

Not cool, young lady.

Your mother's gonna have my head for letting you get onstage.

You're going to the airport... now.

I'll see you later.

Today was great until you went and did that.

I can't always be your friend, son.

Sometimes I got to be your dad.

Where the hell are you guys?

I'm ready to go. Just... Call me, all right?

Hey!

Me?

Yeah.

I just got fired. [Sighs]

I'm sorry. Can I do anything?

You...

Can stop talking.

Come on.

[Laughs]

What's going on?

I hated tonight.

I mean, Luke was great and everything, but, uh, seeing him up here...

You said this was a good thing.

It's my song, Kevin.

It's our song. I'm not sure I can just give it away.

We're not giving it away. We're getting paid to let Luke cut it.

[Sighs]

Look, this is my livelihood.

I write songs, big artists sing them.

That's how I make my money.

Having a hit for Luke Wheeler is the kind of thing that buys houses and pays bills.

This will establish you as a songwriter.

It's not what I came to Nashville to do.

Will, it's a good life just the same.

You mean "good enough."

[Scoffs] Whatever.

We should find Gunnar and head back.

I think you were right about me coming here.

How are you? Are you okay?

Yeah, I just...

[sighs]

I honestly believed she could pull through.

Who, Beverly?

Yeah.

I mean, I had to hope, right?

'Course you did.

Listen, I think I need to stay another day.

There's some stuff... we need to sort through here.

Take all the time you need.

I'm glad you decided to go.

[Call-waiting beep]

That's your other line.

Oh, sh**t, honey, this is Luke, and... and he's probably calling about Maddie coming home.

You go.

[Call-waiting beep]

I'll talk to you soon, baby. I love you.

I love you, too. Bye.

Hey. How'd it go? Is she almost home?

She is. Uh, be home within the hour.

But there's something you ought to know.

[Gasps] Thanks for the ride, guys... seriously.

Jeff: Hello?

Hey!

I feel like we haven't talked all day.

I know. I haven't had a minute of downtime.

My day actually turned out pretty well, because you were wrong.

Rayna was awesome.

I feel like the worst part of my day is my night, 'cause you're not here.

Well, maybe we should fix that.

How about coming to Atlanta tomorrow?

Really? You want me there?

Already bought the ticket. I'll forward you the info.

Thanks, Jeff. I'm so excited.

I-I can't wait to see you.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Great night.

I'm assuming you and Luke are closing deals tomorrow?

More than likely.

[Sighs]

I don't know how much clearer I can make this...

I'm your guy.

I worked for Warren Buffett straight out of college.

I put myself through Harvard Business School.

I re-branded the L.A. forum for top-of-the-line performers.

Clive Davis... you know Clive Davis?

Yeah, well, he was so impressed [Chuckles] that he brought me on to do A&R for him.

I was a C.E.O. at Edgehill, and after the label folded because of corporate downsizing, I reinvented myself as a manager to a very difficult but very successful star.

And I have a great relationship with your boss, so I don't see a scenario where I am not the guy for the job.

You were at the top of my list.

But Luke took you off.

I could make a case for you now, but as often as you've blurred the lines between business and pleasure...

Oh, come on.

...I'm concerned.

What, I'm not allowed to date?

You put Layla on the red carpet at Juliette's premiere.

You're using Luke's events tomorrow to get her in front of important people.

That's not what I'm doing.

Can you draw the line when you need to?

Absolutely.

The job comes first.

I'd love to see you prove that.

How was that?

How was what?

We've only had about a million conversations about you getting up onstage and performing.

I've performed with you before.

That's right... with permission.

Not with Juliette Barnes.

Not strutting yourself up in front of 20,000 people.

That's what you do!

I'm an adult, Maddie.

So am I!

No, you're not!

You're 16 years old!

And Juliette Barnes is not a role model.

Juliette is awesome. She gets me.

She just gave me the best night of my life!

You're just pissed because you're not as cool as she is!

Okay, well, if you think that's cool, then we have much bigger problems than you getting up on that stage tonight.

Girl, you've got so much growing up to do, and I'm telling you right now, I'm gonna be making the rules.

[Sighs]

Luke? You got a second?

Yeah. Um, why don't you go on up to bed?

I'm gonna talk a little business, then I'll head up.

Right.

[Chuckles] It looks like we are going to have quite the party tomorrow.

Both Coke and Ford are on board.

Hey!

[Both laugh]

[Chuckles]

Almost like we planned it, huh?

[Both chuckle]

You maybe wanna...

Have a drink with me to celebrate?

There's business, there's pleasure.

I-I don't mix the two.

Okay. Not even tempted. Got it.

I didn't say I wasn't tempted.

Good night.

How you feeling?

Like crap.

Take it from somebody that knows.

[Sighs] You want to drink water.

Lots of it.

Listen, I need to tell you something.

I know that what you did...

...it wasn't easy.

And I was wrong to make out like it was.

I was just hanging on to the smallest possible hope, you know, but...

You knew... you knew that... even if she survived that... she wouldn't... she wouldn't be living.

God, she'd hate that.

I think you made the right decision.

I do.

I'm just sorry I wasn't strong enough to make it with you.

I'm sorry I wasn't there.

[Sighing] I'm sorry.

Avery. Thank God.

What are you doing here?

Is Cadence okay?

I had no idea that she was sick. Believe me.

I didn't even know that you called until tonight.

I didn't. I was just on my way to fly to Nashville.

You know, for months, all I wanted was for you to reach out to me.

To us.

Just a call or a text.

I did text you.

Mm-hmm.

Today.

And if you'd done it yesterday, then maybe this conversation would be different, but after what happened to Cadence...

She could have d*ed.

I didn't know.

I was completely out of it.

Okay, so best-case scenario, you were so messed up on dr*gs, you had no idea what was happening, because you've surrounded yourself with people who don't tell you the truth.

I know that, and I am making a change.

It's too late.

No.

No, it's not too late. What are you talking about?

It's not...

I want a divorce.

I'm gonna file the paperwork in a different county, using our middle names.

You can break the news however you want.

You can protect this perfect public image you've worked so hard to create.

In exchange...

I want you to sign a termination of parental rights.

I will have sole custody, and Cadence will just be my daughter.

I can't have her grow up thinking that she can depend on her mother when we both know that she can't.

This is my lawyer's number.

You can call him with your response.

You have 24 hours.

Goodbye, Juliette.