04x12 - How Does It Feel to Be Free

[bunniefuu]

Previously on "Nashville"...

I'll see you when I see you.

Well, I told you we were casual. [Chuckles]

Might be time for you'll to sign at Highway 65.

With one condition... That you do it together.

Mr. Wheeler, you owe the government $40 million.

I called Granddad. I'm gonna stay with him for a while.

I saw what happened with Jeff.

Juliette was gonna jump, and Jeff saved her, but when he did, he fell.

Where's Juliette?

She had to travel for work.

I don't think I can do this anymore.

I need a producer for my new album A.S.A.P.

I want you to get me Avery Barkley.

[Sighs]

Hi. I'm here to see Juliette Barnes.

And your name is?

Avery Barkley.

Are you a family member?

I'm her husband.

Belated congratulations, by the way.

Thank you so much.

Hey, listen, I'm excited about this...

Y'all working together.

Glenn, I've thought for the longest time that you're one of the best in the business.

Well, thank you, Rayna.

And I love these demos you sent over.

You do?

Some really, really beautiful stuff in there.

Yeah.

Some of it really heartbreaking.

Well, most of it was inspired by my relationship with Jeff.

Yeah, I figured.

She's got some great upbeat stuff, too.

Layla's been crazy prolific.

Well, yes, she has, and let's not forget that we do have a completely finished record ready to be released.

I know, but my new stuff, it just... It means so much more to me.

Listen, here's what I would propose.

I'd say let's figure out a launch date for the first record and get you out on tour, and then if you can commit to that, why don't we go ahead and start your second record?

Really?

Yeah. Why not?

Thank you.

Do you have any idea who you might like to produce with?

Well, uh, we've reached out to Avery Barkley.

I'm a big fan of Avery's. How do you feel about it?

I'd say that we are a... Match made in heaven.

So, uh, keep the energy up with "Borrow My Heart," then play "Change Your Mind."

Yeah, and if we close with "If I Didn'tKknow Better," it's a hometown crowd.

[Door opens]

It's an oldie but a goodie.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Ooh! It's Erin. Gimme a sec.

Hey! Missed you last night.

Hey, stranger.

Hey. Where you been?

[Sighs] Out of town.

It's good to see you.

Good to see you, too.

Yeah, I had to get away from my so-called songwriting career.

Crazy thing is, I actually stumbled back into performing.

Played in front of a crowd without a band or a hat.

Really?

Yeah, of course, I was in the middle of nowhere and nobody knew who I was, but, uh, it felt pretty good doing it.

As long as it feels good, that's great.

I might be ready to try something like that around town, you know, like a little, uh, acoustic gig here or there.

We're playing the Nashville palace tonight.

You want to sit in for a couple of songs in the middle of the set?

Uh, uh, really?

I mean, management wouldn't have a problem with that?

Yeah, all right. I'll see you then.

No, man. Our set, our guests.

To hell with the management. You want to do it?

Hell, yeah! All right. All right, dude.

Yeah.

[Both laugh]

I imagine we might have a full house tonight.

How many servers you got on?

We got one for happy hour, three for prime time.

And if we need more, I can get my daughter to come in and help.

Tell you what, she's already helping me out.

Maddie smiled more in the last six weeks she did in the previous six months.

Cash is enjoying it, too.

She thinks that girl of yours is going somewhere.

Guess the trick is making sure the right people with her along the way, huh?

Oh. Hey, I'm sorry.

We're, uh... We're not quite open yet here.

Well, I-I know.

I-I was just hoping to get on the list for your open mike tonight.

Well, then, I'm sorry again. That list is full.

Maybe come back next week, all right?

Well, I'll probably be back on the road by then.

Um... and playing in Nashville's always sort of been a dream of mine, you know?

Well, there's about 50 other bars that got an open Mike...

Yeah, but there aren't 50 other bar owners who actually make their own music.

I mean, you're Deacon claybourne.

[Sighs]

Can I at least audition for you?

Yeah. Yeah, all right.

Okay, cool. Thanks.

Flattered much?

Shut up.

That's really good for like the 9:00 hour, so when he gets here...

[Telephone ringing]

Woman: L&M Studios.

Oh, yeah, he's expecting you. Hang on just a moment.

♪ ♪

[Clicking]

[Cellphone chimes]

Sorry. What'd you say?

I was just asking when we were gonna see each other again.

What are you doing this weekend?

A lot, actually.

I've got a history paper to write, and Grandpa's got me working on the farm most days.

Colt, do you even like me anymore?

Of course I like you, Maddie.

I just don't really feel like I'm in the mood to talk right now.

Okay, then I should just go.

No, Maddie. Wait.

Bye.

Bye.

So, how much did you know when?

Lookit, Buzz, when I'm out on the road, uh, I tend to focus on my fans and not my finances.

That's what accountants are for, right?

Yeah.

So I was surprised as anybody when the IRS came knocking.

I guess if I'm guilty of anything, uh, it's trusting the folks I hired to fill out my tax forms.

Yeah, but it's all taken care of now?

Yeah, well, the embezzlement part is in the hands of the FBI, but me and the IRS... We've settled up.

Wow, that was pretty fast.

[Laughing] Yeah.

Hey, we got a lot of people who want to talk to the Luke Wheeler, who's gonna be at the civic theater this weekend for the "Never Look Back" tour.

So let's go to, uh... Let's go to Mike.

Hey, Mike. How you doing, bud?

Mike: Uh, me?

I'm living off less than 20 grand a year.

What's it like to be so rich you don't notice being 40 million bucks short?

Whoa. Mike's a little angry there, so, uh, why don't we try, uh... Let's try Sheila in Iverton.

Sheila: Long-time fan, Luke.

Oh, thanks, Sheila.

I was listening to what you said earlier about being a simple country boy, and I always loved that about you.

[Chuckles]

But is it even true anymore?

I-is what true?

Am I from a one-red-light town in Kentucky?

Hell, yes, and I'm proud of it.

When was the last time you were there?

It's been awhile, but, uh...

I try to get back as often as I can.

You know, we should probably take a break right now, so, uh, stay where you are.

We'll be right back with country superstar Mr. Luke Wheeler.

Man, I'm so sorry about that.

We'll try to weed out the haters next round.

Yeah.

Excuse me.

I've been waiting for an hour, and I need to drive back to Nashville for a job I have tonight.

How much longer?

Mr. Barkley?

Nice to see you again.

Dr. Kitley. Hi.

So, uh, is there a visiting area, or does Juliette just want to talk in her room?

Actually...

She's in a fairly delicate emotional state at the moment and doesn't feel that now is a safe time to be engaging with you.

Okay.

I have allowed her to see our daughter.

I've given her space. I have respected her wishes.

All I'm asking for is 10 minutes just to discuss...

I'm sorry, but Juliette really needs this time to focus on herself.

Oh, she needs time?!

Really? Because, you know, I've had to waste a lot of it!

I've had to go around for months pretending like we still have a marriage!

Look, I suggest that you come back when you've calmed down.

[Sighs]

The last thing Juliette needs now is this kind of drama.

Frankie: Terry McGrath, everybody!

[Cheers and applause]

Make your daddy proud, son.

I tell you what, that's one of the finest songwriters out there.

Oh, hey.

Glad you made it.

Hi. Mm, me too.

Well, I haven't you that over the moon about an artist in quite some time.

I tell you what, we were auditioning her.

She opened her mouth, I was like, "Rayna's got to hear this voice."

So what's her story?

I don't know other than she's just kind of great.

Please welcome to the stage Miss Vita Martin.

This is her.

[Applause]

Um...

This song I wrote when I was 15.

I think it still holds up.

♪ Lost another penny, could've thrown in my bucket \1
\2 Lost another dime, I sunk it deep in your pocket \1
\2 Shake it, shake it now and then move on down the line ♪

I see why you called.

Yeah?

♪ Why'd you have to steal my only four-leaf clover? \1
\2 Thought I was in love, but maybe now I'm getting over \1
\2 You and all your doggies better move on down the line ♪

[Cheers and applause]

♪ I won't cry if you'll say goodbye ♪

It's a sound we don't have.

That's a sound nobody has.

♪ I'll be feeling better once I find your love letters \1
\2 Move it farther on down the line ♪

How about all these people, huh?

Yeah, it's amazing. Let's go put on a show.

What's going on?

What do you mean?

You had a weird look on your face.

Uh, it's just my face.

No, no, there's... There's something.

What is it?

Just forget it. I'll tell you later.

Oh, so there is an "it."

How can I forget an "it" if there is no "it"?

I don't want to talk about it right now.

Let's go do the show.

No, you know what?

If there's a problem, I'm not getting on the stage till you tell me what it is.

Just tell me, okay?

I saw Erin kissing some other guy in the parking lot.

Like, really kissing him.

Oh.

I'm sorry.

No, it's... it's fine.

We should just start the show.

Uh, yeah.

♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪

Was that okay?

That was better than okay.

I mean, I think we finally found the right phrasing there.

You want to keep going?

Uh, actually, I could use a little water.

Oh. Yeah.

I'll go grab a few bottles for us.

Thanks, man.

[Sighs]

Layla, your voice is amazing.

Thank you.

I can't believe how much progress we're making on the track.

I know, right?

Usually, uh, it takes time to find a rhythm when you're recording, but day one's been pretty smooth.

It helps me a lot that you're a musician.

It makes your producing style both gentle and commanding.

Well, I don't know about commanding, but thanks.

Seriously.

There's not a lot of guys like that in this business.

Juliette's really lucky that she has you.

I just want to take a second here.

Vita Martin, there's somebody I'd like you to meet.

Oh, my god. You're Rayna Jaymes.

Hello. It's so good to meet you.

This is Bucky Dawes, the head of A&R at Highway 65.

Pleasure to meet you.

Likewise.

I'll let y'all talk.

So, we just saw you play, and, girl, you are incredible.

You really have a lot to say. I can tell.

And I'd love to sit down and talk to you, talk to you about the label, and get to know you a little bit.

Is this for real?

Yes, we'd like to find out what you've done, where you've played.

Well, I've been playing forever, and I... And I've dreamt of this, but, um, mostly I just played for...

For fun, right?

For that, yeah.

And, uh, and because I can.

I can't not, you know?

Um, it's my escape.

Some people, they... They drink, they do dr*gs.

I play my guitar.

Healthier choice, but...

[Chuckles]

Listen, I'd love for you to come by the offices at Highway 65.

Bucky can set it up.

That would be awesome.

How about next week?

Does that not work for you?

No, no, it's just... No, I-I'm beyond stoked.

I was just hoping...

You know, it's not your problem.

I'm just gonna do what I have to do anyway.

Which was what?

Is find a job that... That lets me do this.

We might be able to help you with that.

You know, I'm very tight with the guy who owns this place.

[Chuckles]

Let's try "Longing" instead.

You know, it's a more deeply felt lyric.

I hate to say it, but...

I feel like that's something you need to work on a bit.

What?

It's like you're holding back or maybe you're being held back.

I'm not sure which, but you are so much more mature than you think, Maddie.

You can't be afraid of going deeper, letting what you're feeling come out, even if it's painful or scary or if it bugs the hell out of you.

Colt and I went all the way.

Wow.

And now he's just being a complete weirdo to me.

Like he barely wants to talk anymore.

[Voice breaking] You probably think I'm a terrible person now.

I'm too young and I'm just a stupid, little girl.

I absolutely...

Hey.

I do not think any of those things.

Maddie, you're allowed to make mistakes in life, and you are allowed to have feelings about them.

[Sighs]

More than that, you are allowed to stand up for yourself.

You deserve respect.

You know what sucks for guys that date girls like us?

[Scoffs] What?

We get to write songs about them.

[Chuckles]

[Sniffles]

[Sighs]

[Knock on door]

You got a minute?

Please.

Anything to get my mind off all this online hate.

Uh, not sure this'll help, then.

Fine. Lay it on me.

[Sighs]

Well, just heard from our booking agent.

Ticket sales for the next leg are down.

And with Dierks Bentley's guest dates with us ending, we're looking at a financial hit.

Why are my fans so quick to turn on me?

I'm not the one who did anything wrong.

I'm the same guy I always was.

Look, to get things back on track, we have to find a way to fill seats.

Well, I'm all ears, Kenneth.

What about Juliette?

She was your original tour mate, and people are talking Oscars.

She's bigger than she's ever been.

Yeah.

I mean, at this point, um, maybe she's our best bet.

We're gonna bring a very special guest up on stage tonight to share a few songs.

Please put your hands together for our friend, Mr. Will Lexington!

[Cheers and applause]

Will: How you'll doing?

Well, like the Xs, I've been doing a lot of traveling myself.

Where'd you go, sweetheart? 'Frisco?

[Crowd murmuring]

Kentucky, actually.

Anyway, um...

I'm excited to perform some new material for you.

Woman: Love you, Will!

This one's called...

We already got a "queen" of country!

[Crowd murmurs louder]

Just ignore him, man.

This is... "Ain't it beautiful."

[Cheers and applause]

Oh, man.

Excuse me.

You think you can keep him quiet?

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

All right.

♪ You come into the world \1
\2 Cold and broke \1
\2 Helpless, nakede scared, and screaming ♪

Get off the stage, q*eer!

Come on, Wooten. Let him play.

♪ They cut and slap and stick and scrub you down \1
\2 stand around and watch you sleeping ♪

I think he's played enough.

[Grunts, crowd gasps]

Somebody grab that guy!

It's okay! It's okay!

You all right?

♪ ♪

Ah.

Aah!

Hurts worse than getting hit.

Bottle caught you right across the bridge, broke it pretty good.

Laceration's not too bad, though.

Definitely miss the days when all I got thrown at me were panties.

That ain't funny. None of this is funny.

Detective Hantz.

If it's any consolation, your attacker could be in big trouble.

Well, he doesn't seem too worried about it.

We'll see you tomorrow, boys.

[Men laugh]

Probably not his first time in handcuffs.

No, but it's his first time facing a felony hate crime.

I understand he shouted gay slurs at you?

Damn right he did.

Everybody heard him.

Well, I need to hear that from him.

Need you to come into the station, file a statement, get you some justice.

If that's what it takes to get it.

Daphne's already asleep.

Oh, good. Made you some tea.

Thank you.

Maddie's awake, but she apologizes and says she'll go to bed in 10 minutes.

Maddie apologized?

I know, right?

I don't know what that cash is doing.

Whatever it is, we got to bottle it and sell it to parents of teenagers everywhere.

Maybe she just needed a creative outlet.

I mean, besides from her sister and her parents, which is always a loaded situation.

Yeah.

Sometimes you just need a little outside help, I guess.

Yeah.

You know, I cannot stop thinking about Vita.

That voice, right?

I want to work with her.

[Chuckles]

But, you know, now I've got all these big names wanting to sign with Highway 65, which, of course, can be a lot more lucrative and easier in some ways, although Markus proved not always.

Yeah.

There's just something about her talent.

It's really unique.

And you know I love an underdog.

Yeah, I'd heard that about you.

I think she's coming off some hard times and needs a job.

You got anything at the Beverly?

I mean, Frankie's in charge of the hiring, but I don't think that should be a problem.

You know, it is so nice having friends in high places.

[Both laugh]

[Radio chatter, buzzer sounds]

Try and send me to jail, bitch.

Okay, we're all set.

If you could please state your name for the record.

[Beeps]

Good morning.

Hey.

You sure fell asleep fast last night.

I'm not boring you, am I?

[Chuckles]

[Coffee pouring]

Erin, are you... Are you seeing other people?

Why are you asking me this?

I thought we agreed we're casual.

I-I just... I didn't think casual meant not monogamous.

Hey.

I like what we have.

So if you want to be monogamous, it's cool.

Avery: Maybe take your breath at the end of the second line instead, then you can just ride it to the end of the verse.

After "always"?

Yeah.

Okay, yeah, let's try it.

Cool.

[Door opens]

Hey. Sorry to interrupt.

We're, uh, tracking here.

Uh, it's important, and, uh, probably best discussed privately.

Hey, Layla, sorry.

Just give us a sec, okay?

Um, I called the center where we dropped Juliette off, but apparently they moved her and, uh, I'm not family, so they won't tell me anything.

I assume you know where she is?

Yep.

I just need to find out if she can go back out on tour anytime soon.

Well, we all have our needs, don't we?

Right now, I need to get back to doing my damn job.

Avery, look, I'm sorry. I know this...

I'm sure this hasn't been easy for you.

What hasn't been easy?

What... what... what exactly is it you think you know?

I didn't mean any disrespect.

No, hold on!

You... you come barging in here, interrupt my session, and start talking to me like you know what the hell's going on in my personal life?!

Son, I just need to run my business.

She can't be counted on, okay?!

I see.

[Door opens]

[Sighs]

[Door closes]

[Sighs]

Hey. Everything okay?

Uh, uh, he was just looking for Juliette.

Why? Where is she?

In treatment.

First rehab, and now for postpartum depression.

But she was... she was gone long before that.

[Chuckles] We've, uh...

We've been separated for... For a while now.

I'm sorry.

I didn't know.

Oh, that's 'cause no one knows.

I agreed to keep it quiet so I could keep custody of Cadence.

But it's k*lling me.

And I just...

I feel so damn trapped, you know?

I-I can't.

I just... I just can't. I can't do it anymore.

I know it's not the same, but when I was married to Will, I was living a lie, too, you know?

I mean, it hurt a lot.

But the longer it went on, the more damage it did.

I'm not saying that the divorce was pleasant.

But it felt really good to be free of it.

You deserve to feel free, too.

♪ ♪

Yeah, Juliette's probably not gonna come back out, so we need to find another option.

Yeah. Start calling around town.

Thanks.

Hey, Luke, can I get your autograph?

[Sighs]

Riff, what the hell?

[Chuckling] How are you, son?

I'm good. How are you?

I ain't seen you since you was sporting a mullet.

Hey. That look worked.

It sure did, but it would keep any woman with taste as far away as possible.

[Laughs] Hold on a second.

This here is a recording studio. Are you lost or something?

'Cause if memory serves, you haven't cut a record in years.

Actually, I-I'm here with my son, Dayton.

He's cutting his first demo, if you can believe that.

Get out.

Last time I saw that boy, he was teaching Colt how to fry ants with a magnifying glass.

[Laughing] Yeah.

Hey, listen, man, uh...

I'm sorry to hear about all the heat you've been taking lately.

It ain't right what they're saying.

I appreciate that.

Hey, uh, why don't you come over to the house for a barbecue?

Heidi and the kids, they'd sure love to see you.

I'd really like that.

All right.

Scarlett's asking about you.

Wants to know how bad the bruising is.

On my nose or my ego?

Man, if anything, you should be proud.

I mean...

You handled all that way better than I ever could.

So, when's the, uh, arraignment for this jackass?

There's not gonna be one.

He's charged with a misdemeanor...

Drunk and disorderly.

He's already out. Wait. What?

No, they were... they were going after him for a hate crime.

Turns out they needed my statement to make something like that stick.

I decided not to give one.

Will, he broke your nose!

Yeah, well, I'm still breathing through it, ain't it?

But that's not the point, man!

The names he called you...

Queen. q*eer. I...

I heard every word he said, Gunnar, and it's not the last time I'm gonna hear them, but I'll be damned if I'm gonna spend every night post-show filing hate-crime reports when it's not gonna make a difference!

You were att*cked, and you cannot let him get away with that!

Trust me.

I won't.

[Sighs]

So, you ever been a waitress before?

Uh, I bussed tables, and... and I'm a quick learner.

Not much to it...

Smile, laugh at their jokes, do what you're told.

Look, I-I know Rayna pulled some strings to get me this job.

And I just want you all to know that I'll work my butt off here.

Well, that's all we ask.

And, I mean, the best part is, is now my day job and my dream job are in the same place.

I mean, if I could play the occasional open mike...

Not if you're scheduled to work.

Standard application.

Nothing special.

We'll give you a minute to fill it out.

All right.

[Sighs]

Hey.

What's going on? We got some kind of issue here?

Nope.

[Scoffs]

You're acting like you don't really want to hire this girl.

And, I mean, we talked about it, and god knows we need another waitress, as busy as we are.

I've made the mistake of getting too comfortable with finances before.

Look, Frankie, I don't think one more minimum-wage worker's gonna sink us here, so...

Where'd she go?

Yeah.

Had a feeling about that one.

♪ \1
\2 We should have seen it \1
\2 Like a flash of lightnin' \1
\2 Should have been lookin' \1
\2 Out at the dark horizon \1
\2 But now the storm \1
\2 Is all around us \1
\2 You're on the shore \1
\2 And I'm in the ocean now \1
\2 Don't wanna be swept away \1
\2 Don't wanna be kept from you \1
\2 And all of the love we made \1
\2 Don't want it to fade from view \1
\2 Don't wanna be swept away \1
\2 And though my heart is true \1
\2 I found a dream that's new \1
\2 Never seen skies so blue \1
\2 This is my big wave \1
\2 My big wave \1
\2 This is my big wave ♪

That was incredible.

Thank you. [Chuckles]

You told a real story in it.

You made me understand what you're going through.

I mean, I'm assuming that it's about Colt.

Yeah.

Well, the other good thing about writing from a real place...

Putting your feelings down on paper makes it easier to say it out loud.

I don't know. I'd be so embarrassed.

The first lesson of becoming a woman, which you are, is learning to tell the man in your life what your needs are.

[Sighs]

Mr. Barkley.

As I explained yesterday, Juliette doesn't feel as though she...

I heard you before about her not feeling safe, and I'm aware of what she's up against.

But she needs to hear how I'm feeling.

Look, I'm afraid I have to ask you to...

Like a liar.

And I don't want to be one anymore.

We're over. We've been over.

And if she doesn't come clean about our divorce publicly in the next 24 hours, then I will.

Make sure she gets that message.

[Doorbell dings]

Hey.

Miss... Miss Jaymes.

[Chuckles]

Hi.

Hi.

It's... can I help you?

Yes, uh, I am looking for somebody named Vita Martin, and she lists this as her home address.

Well, she doesn't have a room here.

She pays to park her car in the lot.

Okay, thank you.

Hey.

Hey.

W-what are you doing here?

Well, um, Deacon said that you left before filling out your application, and I just wanted to check on you.

I'm sorry.

I know that it wasn't cool just, uh, leaving like that, but I...

I panicked.

If I had filled out the form, then I would have had to say...

I've been arrested before.

I see.

Look, I've done some things I'm not real proud of.

But I'm not that girl anymore.

That's why I'm here in Nashville.

'Cause the only thing I've ever been good at...

And the only thing that's helped me get through my life is music.

You and me both.

Listen, I-I don't know what your experience is.

I have my own version of a messy life, and the one thing that's gotten me where I am is people taking chances on me, so I take chances on people.

I take risks, you know?

I think you're real talented.

Why don't you go on back to the Beverly?

Fill that out.

And see what happens.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Riff: This is our first tour together, and you cannot imagine my joy when I learned that this Kentucky boy here had never been on a snipe hunt.

What's a snipe?

Oh, it's an imaginary bird invented by mean people who enjoy humiliating their friends.

Then how do you hunt it?

Exactly.

So my good, old buddy Luke here, he's about a 12-pack in at this point, crawling through a creek bed, when "ka-kaaah!"

[Laughs]

He jumps about five foot in the air, lands face first in the mud.

Yep.

Clearly that story took place before I came along.

Well, thank goodness you did, or who knows what would have happened to this one?

Oh, hear that? I saved you.

[Chuckles]

Man, it's, um...

Hard to believe where all the time goes.

But, uh, let me just say you've done a heck of a job raising these two.

Oh, thank you.

So, what are Colt and Sage up to these days?

Oh, well, um, Sage... She mostly stays at her mom's, and, uh, Colt... He came out on the road with me for a little bit, but, uh, he just decided he wanted to go stay with his grandpa for a little while, so...

Hey. Come with me.

Let me show you something I found today.

Yeah.

We agreed to background checks on all employees.

Yeah, one that neither of us could pass.

All right, come on now.

I know you got more than one D.U.I. on that record of yours.

And me?

You're a damn disaster on paper.

[Chuckles]

It's what I'm saying.

All right.

You're a good man, Frankie Gray.

[Laughs]

[Sighs]

Hey, Vita.

Get to work.

Thank you.

Man, I remember thinking you were a fool stepping away when you did, on top of it all.

Although you did clear a space on top of the charts for me.

[Chuckles] You remember this?

[Laughs]

Backstage, Texas stadium.

You sold out, uh, two nights in a row.

You ever miss it?

Well, it's hard not to.

But that lifestyle and especially back then, that long distance, it was all just too much with Heidi and the kids.

Well, turns out you were the smart one.

Uh, you chose what matters most.

Hey, Luke, I known you a long time.

And you might have made a few wrong turns along the way, but I tell you this.

You're still the same good guy you always were, and that's the straight truth.

Oh, boy, I need to hear that. [Chuckles]

Listen, let me ask you something.

What would you think about coming out of retirement and going on the road with me?

[Chuckles] You're out of your mind.

It'll be just like old times, minus the...

The partying and the women.

Just, you know, you and me up on stage just...

Tearing it up.

I'd have to discuss it with the family.

Now you're talking.

[Chuckles]

[Bottles clink]

[Ringing]

Colt: Hello?

You owe me an apology.

What?

You've been weird and distant with me ever since we had sex, and it's not okay.

I don't know if you regret it or if you're embarrassed by it or if you're just over it, but if you want to stay together at all, then you need to treat me with some more respect.

[Knock on door, door opens]

Is it still a booty call when you're monogamous, or is there a more elegant term?

Erin...

We need to talk.

Before you say anything...

I'm sorry, okay?

This sounds messed up, but part of the reason I was with the other guy, the reason I'm the way that I am...

Is because I don't want to get hurt, because I have been.

And I like you, Gunnar, a lot.

And that kind of scares me.

So I guess that's why I did what I did...

To protect myself from feeling what I'm feeling...

About you.

You know what I should be feeling?

Jealous.

But I'm not.

I wish I did, but that tells me something.

It tells you that I'm not the one.

Look, Erin, I-I really, really like you.

No, I-I get it.

I mean, it sucks.

But I get it.

You're a really good man, Gunnar.

Someone's gonna be real lucky to have you.

Right back at ya.

The lucky part. Not... not the man part.

I'll see you when I see you.

[Door opens, closes]

Woman: No news yet on a release date, but that's the latest on the Boulevard Reunion album.

Singer and actress Juliette Barnes, who's been out of the limelight since the sudden death of her manager, Jeff Fordham, has released a statement announcing her divorce from husband Avery Barkley, stating, "Our marriage has had issues for quite some time, and these issues have proven to be insurmountable.

I'm grateful for Avery, as he's been a wonderful father, a loving husband, and a patient man through all of this.

We ask that our privacy be respected during this difficult time."

In other news, country music le...

[TV turns off]

♪ ♪

[Sighs]

[Indistinct conversations]

[Cellphone rings]

Hey, Rusty, what's up?

Wait.

W-Will's there?

Oh, god. Um...

All right, look.

I'll... I'll be there as soon as I can.

Okay? Yeah. Bye.

Oh, god.

[Ringing]

Hey, it's me. Uh...

I think Will's about to do something really stupid.

So, hunter Hayes passed, but I have calls into the Band Perry and Brett Eldredge.

Hmm. Well, put the search on hold.

I offered the spot to Riff Bell.

Hope to hear from him by the end of the night.

Riff Bell?

Uh, Riff Bell, who left the music business?

[Chuckles]

Luke, it's been years since he's toured or even put out a record.

Well, I'd like to think his four platinum records will count for something.

But I think we have a better chance of selling tickets if we go with a more current act.

I'm not interested in going with a more current or more flashy group just to fill seats.

I want to get back to being real.

♪ ♪

You think he's even here?

His truck's parked outside.

Get off me, you q*eer.

[Laughs]

Looks like somebody bought you a drink.

Oh, well, how about that?

Looks like the gays ain't the only ones with supporters, huh?

[Laughter]

You're welcome.

You didn't get to finish your beer last night.

'Course, I didn't get to finish my song, so...

I already told you once.

Now get off that stage, you h*m*.

[Crowd murmurs]

Not gonna happen, buddy.

'Cause there ain't nothing or nobody gonna keep me from singing ever again.

This one's called "Ain't it Beautiful."

[Cheers and applause]

♪ You come into the world cold and broke \1
\2 Helpless, naked, scared, and screaming ♪

Hey.

I think it's best you'll leave.

You and your backwards friends.

♪ Stand around and watch you sleeping \1
\2 And breathing \1
\2 And ain't it beautiful? \1
\2 Ain't it beautiful? ♪

[Cheering]

♪ Yeah, yeah \1
\2 Sometimes life is messy ♪

He's braver than me, that's for sure.

♪ It ain't always pretty ♪

Me too.

♪ Ain't it beautiful? ♪

Hey. Sorry I'm late.

My sitter got stuck in traffic.

That's okay.

I'm sorry we have to work crazy hours.

Bucky said it's the only studio time we could get.

It's all right.

I saw the news.

You okay?

Yeah. I'm, uh...

I'm not sure.

It's a lot to process, you know?

I feel relieved, scared, a little resentful, too.

I just can't help feeling like Juliette destroyed the life that I thought I would have.

Me too.

I-I just mean I understand what you're saying about losing a life with someone.

Listen, I-I don't mean to be insensitive to your loss.

I mean, I certainly had my issues with Jeff, but I know you loved him.

It's pretty impressive, you know, how you've been able to bounce back.

I had to find something to live for, you know?

Lately that's been being here with you...

Making music.

Well, then, uh... [Chuckles]

Maybe we should get back to it.

[Chuckles]

[Sighs]

[Cheers and applause]

Thank you.

Thanks for letting my music do the talking tonight.

Whoo! [Chuckles]

I am so glad he came here to sing and not kick that guy's ass.

You and me both.

[Both chuckle]

Um, are you okay?

Did you sort the thing out with Erin?

Uh... no. We broke up.

Oh, no. I shouldn't have said anything.

No, I'm glad you did.

Erin sleeping with that guy, it bothered me, but it didn't hurt me.

You know what I mean?

No.

Well, I want to be hurt.

I mean, I don't want to be hurt, but I want to feel, you know, or at least feel enough about a person to be busted up if they cheat or... Or leave.

Yeah.

I don't want to just be casual with somebody.

I want to...

Love them.

Somebody's waiting on me. I got to go. I'll see you later.

Yeah? Hot date?

It's a date.

Who with?

Taxidermy guy from the wedding. Don't say nothing about it.

[Cellphone rings]

Hey. Wouldn't peg you for a facetimer.

[Chuckles] Oh, yeah. Yeah, now here... here's a tip.

You got to hold that camera higher, 'cause I'm seeing more than one of your chins at this angle.

Shut up.

Hey, listen, I hope it's not too late to call, but, uh, I talked with Heidi, and we've discussed it with the kids, and...

[Sighs] Well, I'm in.

Oh, man, that is great news!

Yeah, but on one condition, though, all right?

We're all coming, the entire bell clan.

That's even better.

I'll set plans in motion right away.

Gonna be a family affair. Isn't that right, guys?

Hey.

Hey.

We're excited.

All right, have a good night, Luke.

Yeah, okay. We'll see you.

[Sighs]

So, tables are wiped down, I stocked up the glasses, and I got this bit of empties to take out to recycle.

Is there anything else?

I think we're good.

Just sit that down and go on home.

Deacon already split?

Yeah, he's the family man, not me.

Can you tell him thank you for me?

And thank you, too, Frankie.

You've earned your keep.

[Chuckles]

I'll see you tomorrow.

Yeah, I'll see you.

[Chuckles]

Hey.

Hey.

Did I wake you?

Mmh.

[Both chuckle]

How'd it go tonight?

It was good. Yeah.

It was the best night since the opening.

Oh, great.

Yeah.

I tell you something else, too.

That Vita is a hard worker.

I love it.

I know she's so grateful.

Frankie's not too keen on the whole thing.

Really?

Well, you know, with her background and all that, guess when you got a small business, you got to think about those things, right?

I think she's worth the risk, though.

I think so.

She keeps working this hard, definitely.

[Cellphone rings]

Well, speak of the devil, there's Frankie now.

Hey, man, what's up?

I hate to say I told you so, partner, but I told you so.

Hold on, Frankie. What you talking about?

Somebody made off with $500 from the till tonight.

I think we both know who took it.

[Sighs]

Vita.