05x03 - Feeling Myself

[bunniefuu]

Yeah, I wanted to try a
few on and see what I like.

No, it's just me.

Yeah, just me. OK, great.

OK, great. Uh, see you at : . Bye.

[DROPS PHONE, SIGHS] Whoo!

Sorry. What were we talking about again?

How's wedding planning going?

Uh, starting to wonder if d'Angelo and I

- should have just eloped.
- [SPENCER CHUCKLES]

We too far along for all that.

Thought you were enjoying it.

GRACE: And then I had to
answer a thousand questions

about place settings.

Well, maybe if you brought
a friend to help you

try on dresses, it
might make it more fun.

Spencer, I am not anymore.

None of my friends
want to waste their day

ogling me in wedding gowns.

That ain't true. [CLEARS THROAT]

What you think you doing?

I am texting somebody who
I know will drop everything

when she hears you're trying on dresses.

- Uh...
- Mom.

Denise?

You want me to take
fashion tips from a woman

who prides herself on
sexing up the church choir?

No. No. I ain't think that one through.

- Good.
- [CLEARS THROAT]

Now, no more wedding talk.

I want to hear about how you doing.

How's single life?

It's complicated,

especially since JJ made me
Yard Yack famous. [CLEARS THROAT]

[CELL PHONE VIBRATES]

[SIGHS] It's catering.

- I'll call back.
- SPENCER: No, it's all good.

Take it. I gotta bounce anyway.

- I love you.
- GRACE: Love you, too.

[DISTANT DOG BARKING]

So quiet.

Coop and Liv still sleeping?

- Nope, they're already out.
- Hmm.

And thank God, too,
'cause it is too early

to be talking about,

"Oh, but I love my work and I
love getting up in the morning."

Well, I love cereal, b*tches,

and guess we all feeling ourselves.

I'm fine.

- LAYLA: OK.
- PATIENCE: OK.

[LAYLA CHUCKLES]

It's just... I don't
know, seeing everybody

straight glowing up about
pursuing their passions

and kicking ass reminds me that I'm not.

OK, Patience, a lot of artists don't
blow up after their first record.

You know, Prince, uh,
Janet Jackson, David Bowie.

No, I know, but I just...

I want something to
glow about right now.

LAYLA: OK, well, what about tonight?

The Millennium Gold Gala,

the pinnacle of west coast
fashion and glamour? I mean,

if walking the most
iconic carpet in L.A.

isn't something to glow
about, I don't know what is.

Yeah, I honestly forgot about that.

[SIGHS] I thought you'd be more excited.

No, I am.

I am, OK?

I just... look, I'm not, like, an icon

or even a celebrity.

I am a musician with
an underperforming album

and a stale bowl of cereal.

Like, there is a reason
Gia had to call in

those big favors to get those tickets.

LAYLA: Who cares? Look, tonight is about

raising your profile so your next
album gets the attention it deserves.

Yeah, well, I don't feel very
glamorous. I feel like I'm being fake.

OK, well, there's nothing
fake about the truck

full of Balenciaga and
Alexander McQueen dresses

that Gia's bringing
over right now. Mm-hmm.

- [CRUNCHING] [CLEARS THROAT] Right now?
- You are gonna show up on that carpet

- wearing the best of the best...
- Mm-hmm.

And glowing like the sun
on a good-hair day, OK?

- OK.
- OK.

- PATIENCE: OK.
- [BOTH GIGGLE]

- JORDAN: Nope.
- OLIVIA: You don't even know what I'm gonna ask.

JORDAN: Yeah, I do, OK? And I've
already talked to Isaiah twice.

- I'm not doing it again.
- OLIVIA: OK, but hear me out...

- SPENCER: Hey, sorry I'm late.
- JORDAN: Hey.

[SNAPS FINGERS]

I'm sorry. Late... late for?

Oh, so, uh, I kinda told Spence about
Isaiah's intentional hit on Chomps

and the scholarship reward and...

SPENCER: And I know about
Garrett's bounty system.

I was, um...

Respectfully...

Keeping you out of it
until we had proof-proof.

OK. Well, that's why
I'm here, to help...

JORDAN: Mm-hmm.

- SPENCER: If that's OK.
- Yeah.

That's fine.

MALE SINGER: ♪ Drives you ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Throw you for a loop ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah ♪

Hey, Coach.

Adams.

I got something for you.

- What is it?
- Your afternoon plans.

You've been doing such a
great job with the guys,

I thought I'd give you a taste of what

the off season's really about.

Recruiting?

In there are some local schools

and some players we're evaluating.

- You want me to go check 'em out?
- Well, you've earned it.

Give that a look. Should
answer most of your questions.

[CHUCKLES] You already got one?

Uh, yeah. Lots, I think.

Look, son, everybody's
got their own style,

so I'm gonna let you find yours,

but recruiting's simple
when you boil it down:

Make the team better.

So we know how Garrett's running
his version of a bounty system,

using expendable GAU players

to target star players
on the opposing teams,

and if a player badly
injures one of his targets,

- he's rewarded.
- Like the scholarship, in Isaiah's case.

And Isaiah admitted to all of this?

OLIVIA: No, he won't talk.

SPENCER: So all we have for
evidence right now is this game tape?

And Isaiah's scholarship.

The dude worked hard all year.

Coach will just say he earned it.

I thought you wanted to help.

- I do.
- Really?

Because we are in the
"gathering evidence" phase here,

not the "poking holes" phase.

SPENCER: I'm just
playing devil's advocate;

If I don't poke holes now,
somebody else is going to.

There were other scholarships
handed out to former players.

JORDAN: Ooh, we are calling
these guys "Bounty Hunters."

Pretty badass, right?

Yeah, we haven't
actually agreed on that.

Since Isaiah won't talk,

I found contact numbers
for former players

that we suspect were, um...

Just say it.

Bounty hunters.

- It's growing on you.
- Thank you, Jordan.

The point is, we call them up,

see if they'll talk.

This could get back to Garrett.

Um...

It's a risk.

Well, I just wonder if it's
worth giving Isaiah another go.

Jordan, did Isaiah seem
willing to talk at all?

Mmm... yeah, I'm out.

- OLIVIA: What, you're leaving?
- JORDAN: Yeah.

I told you, I am not
an Isaiah whisperer,

but most of all, I just...

I really don't want to
be in the middle of...

This... [CLAPS ONCE] OK?

It was so fun staying at Mema
and Pepa's house this weekend.

I'm glad to hear that, baby girl.

They even have their own
swing set in the backyard.

OK. You got swing sets here.

I don't have to wait my turn.

But I bet you don't meet new
friends on Mema and Pepa's swings.

[CHUCKLES]

Cardell Simms?

- Yeah, who's asking?
- Uh... heh! Rick.

I think our daughters
are in the same class.

Amina, right?

My bad, man. I'm... I'm sorry.

[CHUCKLING] So you
are Cardell Simms or...

Yeah, for sure, but I go by Preach.

You've been served.

So you really just left
them alone together, arguing?

- JORDAN: Mm-hmm.
- [LAYLA CHUCKLES]

You know, I never understood how women

could just try on clothes for hours.

Is this the setup to a sexist joke?

[CHUCKLING] No, no, it's PTSD from

the endless amount of
hours I spent waiting

- on Liv at the mall when we were little.
- LAYLA: Hmm.

What kinda snacks you guys have?

Wow, always with the food.

OK, now who's being sexist?

[LAYLA GASPS]

- OK. I love it.
- [GIA GIGGLES]

PATIENCE: Yeah? Ooh!

Mmm. Ooh, give me some.

Mmm! No eating in the dress.

No. No, no, I'll promise I'll be dainty

and, like, you know, besides, I
gotta kinda practice for tonight.

- GIA: Practice what?
- PATIENCE: Eating.

PATIENCE: What, I can't try
fancy-ass food at the party?

- GIA: You're not going to the party.
- LAYLA: [CLEARS THROAT]

- You didn't tell her?
- I thought you knew.

Patience, the tickets
are for the red carpet.

Just the red carpet.

LAYLA: From a publicity
angle, it's more important

to be photographed on the carpet

- than to go to the party, right?
- GIA: Right.

They don't even allow
press into the event.

So people pay real money

to be photographed faking
like they're going into a party

where they don't even
actually allow photos?

Jordan, you're not helping.

OK, girl, but he's not wrong,
either. Like, I'm wearing

a dress I don't own

to try to pretend to go to a
party that I don't belong at?

OK, I'm gonna be there the whole time,

so if the situation
gets a little awkward,

- we'll just do awkward together, OK?
- PATIENCE: Mmm,

except you're gonna be chillin'
in your favorite pant-suit.

JORDAN: Mmm. What if

- Layla wears a gown?
- GIA: Yes.

- LAYLA: N... no.
- GIA: Yes, yes.

- PATIENCE: Oh, yes, yes.
- No, no, no, gowns are for stars,

not producers, OK? I'm not. No.

They are when producers look like you.

No, nice try. I'm not wearing one, no.

OK, cool. Then I'm not, either.

- Move.
- GIA: What? No.

No, no, no.

- LAYLA: I...
- PATIENCE: Mm-hmm?

[LAYLA SIGHS]

Fine, OK?

Thanks a lot.

- PATIENCE: Yes!
- JORDAN: Boom.

LAYLA: Sorry, uh, where
do you think you're going?

- JORDAN: Just gonna...
- LAYLA: So you got me into this,

so now you're gonna
help me find a dress,

OK?

- Mm-hmm.
- [JORDAN SCOFFS]

LAYLA: Yeah.

OK, thank you for your time.

If you change your mind,
just call this number.

What I'm asking is how
you earned that scholarship

when your numbers weren't as good and...

Hello?

[SIGHS]

That's all the players on the list.

Is there anyone worth
giving another call?

A few of 'em took my number,
but I'd give it a few days.

Or feel free to call.

Up to you.

I gotta head out.

JJ: Oh, where are you going?

[CHUCKLES]

I got a thing at Leimert Park, man.

JJ: Oh, perfect! You can
drop me off at the frat house.

- Toga, baby. [CHUCKLES]
- Your ass is showing, JJ.

Ah, damn it.

I'll be out in a second.

Hey, I'm not trying to overstep,

but you might not want to
go so hard on these guys.

They're victims, too,
when you think about it.

Are you done mansplaining
how to be a journalist to me?

I'm not.

I'm sharing insight I have
from when I injured Chris

- that might help you.
- Yeah, but I know what I'm doing, OK?

This is my story,

and I'm gonna approach these
players how I think is best.

Bet.

- Do you.
- Thank you.

[LIV SIGHS]

[OVERLAPPING CHATTER, SCHOOL BELL RINGS]

[KNOCKS ON DOOR]

- BILLY: Hey.
- ASHER: Coach Baker.

- Good to see you.
- Yeah.

I'm excited to talk to a couple
of your players about Coastal.

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah,
yeah, right. Good to see you.

ASHER: All right, so, uh, I was
thinking we could start with...

BILLY: Hold up, hold up.
What's... what's all this?

Uh, um, players Coastal
is interested in.

Uh-uh. You can't come at me
with all this business stuff.

You gotta butter me up, small talk:

"How's the wife? How's the kids?"

- OK. Um...
- Yeah.

- How's Mrs. Baker?
- She's fine. Thanks for asking.

And... how are the kids?

I don't know. You tell me.

I'm just playing with you. Ha ha ha!

Ah!

[DEEP VOICE] It's good
to see you, Coach Adams.

[NORMAL VOICE] I'm proud of you.

I thought this was
supposed to be the fun part.

- Oh, that's coming.
- They all have something so special.

I mean, how am I supposed to choose one?

- [BELL OVER DOOR RINGS]
- SPENCER: I guess you're gonna have to try them all.

What are you doing here?

[LAUGHS] This is my boy, Spencer.

And her man of honor.

- Let's find you a dress.
- [GRACE GIGGLES]

WOMAN: This is the fun part.

- Come on.
- GRACE: Oh!

Mmm! [CHUCKLES]

FEMALE SINGER: ♪ Dare to be ♪

♪ Different ♪

[NO AUDIBLE DIALOGUE]

♪ I'm different, I don't really care ♪

♪ 'bout your opinion,
when it comes to me ♪

♪ I know who I am and
what is and isn't, yeah ♪

♪ I'm switchin' up the system,
I'll tell you now if you listen ♪

♪ Baby, and if you
don't agree, then, hon ♪

♪ You can go mind your business ♪

♪ I gotta be me, in my own
genre, got my own b*at ♪

♪ Go bom bom bom, gotta be different ♪

♪ Doo doo doo, gotta be ♪

♪ Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Doo doo doo ♪

♪ Gotta be different ♪

♪ Uh-huh, uh-huh, gotta be different ♪

- JORDAN: That's the one.
- LAYLA, CHUCKLING: OK, Jordan,

you've literally said yes
to everything I've tried on.

[CHUCKLING] Forget everything
else I've said up to this point.

That's the one.

[DOOR OPENS]

Jordan.

I need you to come with me
to this bar in the valley.

Ugh. I'm not going to the valley.

OK, well, one of the
bounty hunters works there,

- and I really want to talk to him.
- [JORDAN SIGHS]

Where... where is Spencer?

- Leimert Park.
- Doing what?

I don't know. It's none of my business.

Liv, it's literally
gonna take, like, an hour

- to get over the hill right now...
- OLIVIA: Jordan, what are you so busy with?

Wow.

- Fine, fine. I will come.
- [CLEARS THROAT]

- I'll meet you in the car.
- Meet you in the car.

[DOOR OPENS]

Well, that was a close call.

Wait. Why? Liv knows we're friends.

Yeah, but does she know that
you're crushing on her brother

and are scared to tell the world
'cause of judgment from the vortex?

So you got all that from me
asking you to help with the dress?

Eh...

[SIGHS]

It's definitely the one.

[DOOR CLOSES]

GRACE: Spencer, you really
don't have to stick around.

I'm almost done here.

Naw, I'm having fun.

Ain't had a lot of that lately.

- You seen Olivia?
- Yeah, actually.

I saw her this morning when
I helped with her story.

- Oh, that's new news. How'd that go?
- [CHUCKLES]

Like walking with bare feet
on eggshells made of glass.

GRACE: That bad, huh?

I mean, I know Liv's articles have
been a sensitive subject lately,

but... if coach Garrett is doing
what we think, then he needs to go.

I thought offering to help would
k*ll two birds with one stone,

expedite the takedown, be an
olive branch for Liv, you know.

The whole thing was heavy with...

With whatever you call that
feeling that's leftover.

Sorry to interrupt.

Oh, no, you good.

That's more than enough of my mess.

I think my mom needs
help with her zipper.

- Spencer James.
- What?

- I told you I got this.
- OK.

GRACE: OK. [GRUNTS]

All right.

What do you think of this dress?

I think that's the one.

All right. Thank you so
much. Appreciate the time.

All right, now.

- Got some good guys on your team.
- Yeah. I'm gonna miss him.

What about y'all? Got
your eyes on anybody else?

Nah, that's all I got,
but what about you?

Anyone you think I'm missing,

someone that would make the
rays a better football team?

Actually, yeah.

This kid right here... Jabari Long.

- ASHER: He was a problem for us at State.
- BILLY: Yeah.

I only got to coach
him for one full season,

but his potential is off the
charts, physically, mentally.

He sees the whole field,
kinda like you did.

- He got any other offers?
- Uh, you know,

we're just waiting on the right one.

Actually, the only reason
he's not getting many looks...

just doesn't have enough tape.

No chance he'd be able to graduate
early for spring ball, is there?

BILLY: You know what?
With all the extra work

he's putting in with Preach
in the classroom, maybe...

Especially if he had a
reason to, uh, push himself.

[CHUCKLES] He just
happens to be in the gym?

He's always in the gym. Come on.

OLIVIA: OK, look, I've been
working my ass off for weeks.

Spencer spends an afternoon
making a few calls,

and now he wants to criticize me?

I don't think he was saying all that.

Like, he's not gonna tell
me how to pursue my story.

And if he has a problem with that,

then he can just go back
to picking up girls with JJ.

- Wait. Is that what this is about?
- No!

Like I said, it's none of
my business. It's just...

that's not why I'm upset. He just...

He overstepped, again.

So that's a lot to unpack. Um...

OK, first off,

I don't think Spencer's entirely wrong.

I mean, you can be a bit of
a bull in a china shop, like...

like blowing up Mom on your podcast,

me with the Wade story,

and if you don't believe me,
look at these scars, Olivia.

They're receipts from a
lifetime of being your twin.

[SIGHS]

And despite really, really
wanting to stay out of it,

for what it's worth,

Spencer's not sleeping with anyone.

COOP: Wait, so Amina's grandparents

didn't say anything
about taking custody?

Look, nothing. She just
spent two weeks with 'em.

Everything seemed normal,
and then I get this,

saying that they're
suing for full custody,

calling me an unfit parent.

Am I gonna lose her?

- COOP: No, h... hell no!
- DARIUS: We need to be realistic here.

Yo, ain't nobody taking Amina.

I wish it was that simple, but

most judges wouldn't think
twice about taking a child away

from a parent who has two
strikes on their record.

PREACH: And who are you again?

COOP: Look, you can
ignore Darioos here, OK?

He studied bias and bigotry
at ivory tower law school.

Custody decisions are tricky.

The court examines many factors.

The welfare of the child comes first,

and your criminal history
will play a major role

in evaluating your fitness as a parent.

LAURA: I'm afraid
Darius isn't wrong here.

I am so sorry, Preach.

LAURA: We will do everything
we can to help, all right?

How's Amina doing in all of this?

[SIGHS] I'm keeping her out of it.

Well, um, I'm afraid
that's not possible.

One of the first things a custody
judge is gonna want to know is

who the child actually
wants to live with.

COOP: OK, but Amina's not gonna
want to hurt Preach's feelings,

so even if he does ask
her, she's gonna say him,

truth or not.

One way or the other,

we need the real answer.

'Scuse me, Spencer. Could you
sign something for me real quick?

[CHUCKLES] Of course.

I just thought I would ask
while you were out here.

Oh, I think I got a sharpie
in my bag if you want.

I think a pen will do fine, thanks.

Oh, OK. Most fans prefer a sharpie,

but a pen will work.
It just can't be a ball.

Never comes out right.

So is this for you or somebody else?

Um, it's for the store.

Uh, just need your name at
the top, sign at the bottom.

It's the form saying
you'll pick up the dress.

OK. [CLEARS THROAT]

You thought I wanted your
autograph, didn't you?

[CHUCKLING] What? What? No.

- [GIGGLES]
- [CLEARS THROAT]

So what kind of balls
do you normally sign?

Footballs.

- Hmm.
- I play for GAU.

Don't know much about
sports, but you must be

really good to be so famous.

I'm not really famous,
just very embarrassed.

Well, if it will make
you feel any better,

to me, you'll always be the guy
who helped his mom pick out a dress.

[COOP SIGHS] Your mema and pepa
want you to go live with them.

AMINA: But I just got back.

I mean all the time.

What about my dad?

[SIGHS]

You wouldn't live with him anymore.

So would you rather

go live with your grandparents
or stay with your dad?

'Cause that's what the
judge is gonna want to know.

I want to stay.

They won't make me leave my dad
if I tell the judge that, right?

I mean, it'll definitely
help your dad's chances.

That means you don't know.

I don't want to talk about this anymore.

- I want to talk to my dad.
- COOP: Oh, wait. OK, OK. All right?

He's coming. Everything's
gonna be all right, Amina.

You don't know that.

I do.

I'm not gonna let this happen.

- Promise?
- I promise.

Good? All right.

Lots of great players. Good guys, too.

Yeah, this looks great.
Who's this, uh, Jabari Long?

Uh, outside linebacker
Coach Baker was raving about.

I watched some of his game
film, and from what I've seen,

he's perfect for our defense.

- Weakside linebacker, huh?
- Yeah, off ball.

-down potential with a little coaching.

Well, we already have Parker;

It's hard to give a
scholarship to Jabari

if he's gonna be sitting for seasons.

JJ was a freshman starter this year.

[SIGHS]

- True, but, uh...
- MONTES: Who else you like?

Amina wants to stay with her
father, just like I knew she did.

Good news. Gives us a much
better sh*t at split custody.

- Now, what that split's gonna be, though, is...
- COOP: But wait, wait.

What do you mean, split custody?

I just told Amina she did
not have to leave her father

if she didn't want to.
I promised her that.

You cannot promise a little girl that,

not when all the facts in this case

and in your friend's past
are working against us.

All right, look, he has
a record. Get over it!

Good argument.

"Get over it." I'll just
tell the judge to get over it.

- We'll be fine.
- [COOP SIGHS]

Listen, all I'm saying is

he turned his life around,

and I think you should listen
to me because I know Preach!

You're right.

I don't know him.

But neither will the judge.

He's gonna know... Cardell Simms,

just like me. [DROPS NOTEBOOK]

Look, if you want to help your friend,

let me do my job.

[TECHNO MUSIC PLAYING]

FEMALE SINGER:
♪ Work, work, strike a pose ♪

Um, yeah. Yeah.

- Yeah. Yeah.
- What are you doing?

What is that?

Uh, practicing a tip I
found for the red carpet, OK?

It's like, uh, saying "yeah," it
makes your smile look more natural.

You don't need some fashion
blogger telling you how to smile.

It was Oprah.

Oh.

Yeah. Yeah.

- Yeah.
- Yeah?

- Yeeaah.
- [GIGGLES]

♪ Or make a wave, , ♪

♪ You run the show, ,
, just let 'em know ♪

- ♪ , , , , ♪
- [PHOTOGRAPHERS SHOUTING]

MALE SINGER: ♪ Now you know
you got the moves ♪

♪ Now you know you got the moves ♪

♪ Now you know you got the ♪

FEMALE SINGER: ♪ Yeah, you brag,
you got the moves ♪

♪ Yeah, you brag, you got the moves ♪

♪ Yeah, you brag, you got the moves ♪

- GRACE: I'm exhausted.
- SPENCER: Hmm.

[INHALES DEEPLY]

That Alicia is pretty cute.

What?

I saw y'all flirtin'.

- She's into you.
- Yeah, I don't know about all that.

I can't even handle my ex.

Mmm.

- [INHALES]
- You know...

[SIGHS]

You said something earlier
about that... feeling

that's leftover between you and Olivia.

It's called loss...

And you didn't just lose Olivia.

You lost the person you were with her.

You know, moving on is hard.

Gotta just start by putting
one foot in front of the other.

You'll get through it.

[KISS]

Something to sip on
while you look at veils?

And I brought an extra.

I feel like Spencer earned it.

- [SPENCER SIGHS]
- GRACE: Agreed.

Ah.

- Thank you.
- Welcome.

[NO AUDIBLE DIALOGUE]

I'm good. I'm good. Thank you.

Really? I feel like you could use it.

- [CHUCKLES]
- SPENCER: Why is that?

I don't mean to get
all up in your business,

but your mom is right about moving on.

I've been there, and it sucks.

Yeah, I'm not really the
"drowning my sorrows" type.

Champagne isn't a "drowning
your sorrows" kinda drink.

- So what's it for, then?
- It's a reminder

that before things get serious,
relationships can be fun,

like a glass of champagne.

[CHUCKLES]

Here's to moving on...

[GLASSES CLINK]

And maybe a date sometime.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

MAN: IDs?

OLIVIA: We're actually
here to talk to you, Brad.

- I'm Olivia. We spoke on the phone.
- BRAD: No.

I already told you, I
don't want to be a part

of some GAU football hit piece.

I don't think you're to blame.

Good, because I did
nothing wrong, seriously.

The guy you're talking about?

Well, he was out for two games.

That's football.

Yeah, yeah, you're right, OK?

Injuries happen, but Garrett's
intentionally targeting players...

You don't get it. I was a walk-on
that got real playing time.

Coach Garrett knew
me, looked out for me,

so even if you're right, I'm
not losing any sleep over it.

[CHUCKLES] Well, no way that guy is .

And you are?

Nah, you're just kids.

You're not gonna make
me feel like a monster

because I'm not. Now get outta here.

No, you're not a
monster. You're a victim.

Coach Garrett used you
like a crash-test dummy,

only hits go both ways.

Four concussions in two years,

and then he cuts you and he moves
on to the next crash-test dummy,

used-up and left behind,
just like the others.

Are you really gonna tell me
that that never occurred to you

that you were used, and that
Garrett's building his legend

while you're not carding
underage drinkers?

I just want to hear your side.

SINGERS: ♪ Ah, ah ♪

♪ Ah, ah ♪

- SPENCER, CHUCKLING: OK.
- GRACE: It's a stressful situation.

Look, tonight is about you
and it's on me, no discussions.

Spencer, you've made this
whole day about me already.

- ALL: Surprise!
- [CLAMORING]

- [SPENCER CHUCKLES]
- GRACE: What is all of this?

You were saying earlier how you
ain't have a bunch of young friends

- to ogle you in that dress, but I do.
- COOP: Hell yeah.

- LAURA: You raised a good one.
- GRACE: Oh, I know,

and not because he
just called you young?

- LAURA: Little bit, little bit.
- GRACE: [LAUGHS]

- LAURA: Did you pick a dress?
- [ALL TALKING AT ONCE]

JJ: Ah, ha ha ha! Sorry. Sorry I'm late.

My chariot driver likes to
stay off the main streets.

- SPENCER: Your what?
- JJ: So dope, right?

- Y'all want to see?
- ASHER: No, we don't,

and maybe you should
go change, like, now?

Chill, dude.

Jacob's dress code is cocktail casual,

and I'm basically wearing
a wrap dress, so...

It's an old sheet covered
in beer stains, JJ.

Yeah, you smell like a
health-code violation.

OK, fine.

I'll change into my
evening toga in a second.

It's a more formal look, you know?

- SPENCER: Thought it was a day party.
- Ah. Day is the new night.

- [LINE RINGS]
- MONTES: Adams?

Uh, hey, Coach. Uh, sorry to
bother you at the house, but, uh...

[SIGHS] Look, I want
to make the team better.

Just give me minutes.

Damn, girl.

Yes?

I gotta tell Janelle you
look way better in person.

What do you mean?

Come on. You know Janelle
loves a red-carpet look.

- She sent me pictures.
- What pictures?

- For real?
- Yes, for real.

Come on. It's all over socials, yo.

You and Layla are trending.

- What?
- Yeah.

My mom's keeping a running tab

of all the best-dressed lists you're on.

- Oh...
- I'll send you links.

Oh, my God. Oh, my God!

Yeah, dude. I cannot believe this.

COOP: I can.

DISTANT FEMALE SINGER:
♪ Lose your mind so you should call me ♪

- ♪ If you leave me... ♪
- PATIENCE: Um, hey, so

I heard Preach came to
Laura about some help,

so what's that about?

Uh, um, I can't really talk about that,

but, um, we definitely
gonna look out for him.

OK, so then what's bothering you?

Office politics.

Mmm.

♪ I push you away ♪

♪ I push you away ♪

Hey.

Hey.

Jordan was telling me you got
one of the ex-players to talk.

- [SIGHS]
- So congrats.

Thanks.

Uh, Christel says I need another source

on record before we publish,
but it was a big win.

♪ I push you away ♪

Actually, I've, um,

I've been meaning to thank
you for your help today.

Really, it just... It wouldn't
have happened without your...

[SIGHS]

You helped me see these
players in a different light.

I'm glad it helped.

Kinda felt like I overstepped a little.

No. I mean, I, uh...

- Yeah. [CHUCKLES]
- Yeah, maybe a little bit.

Well, I'm sorry about that.

No, it's fine, really.

I mean, you were just
trying to help when I

wasn't exactly
appreciative in the moment.

Liv, you ain't got to apologize.

Well, I'm not, actually.

Ah, that sounded really monstrous.

[CHUCKLES] No, no.
Just an unexpected turn.

I guess I mean...

[SIGHS]

The truth is, um,

being around you right
now really messes me up.

It's something I'm
still working through.

Me, too, and I'm sorry I
haven't figured out a way

to be around you without
pissing you off or hurting you.

Yeah, but that's just it.

You don't have to
apologize, either. It's...

you didn't do anything wrong.

You helped a lot,

and I will take all the help
that I can get on this story,

but you don't have to
swoop in and save the day.

You don't have to worry about me

or about my feelings for you.

Just live your life, you know,

and even if you piss me off

or even when you hurt me,

that's on me now.

It has to be.

It's the only way that I know
how to move on without you.

[SIGHS]

I, uh, told you that dress was the one.

- [LAYLA CHUCKLES]
- JORDAN: You look truly...

- Wow.
- LAYLA: Thanks.

Uh, is that why you got
dressed up for tonight?

I don't know what you're talking
about. I always look this good.

[CHUCKLING] Oh, OK.

See? Right there. I am funny.

OK, I am not doing this again.

- JORDAN: And well-dressed.
- [LAYLA GIGGLES]

Do you know what I've been
thinking about all day?

Uh, soft pretzels?

- Close second.
- Hmm.

One more guess.

I don't know. Can I
get a hint, at least?

- JJ: O... M... G.
- LAYLA: Oh, my...

What are you... What are
you doing out here, JJ?

Uh, trying to find my chariot.

I would ask what you
were doing out here,

- but...
- LAYLA: [CLEARS THROAT]

[SIGHS]

- [BICYCLE BELL RINGS]
- JJ: [CHUCKLES] Ah.

[CHUCKLES]

- LAYLA: [CLEARS THROAT]
- JJ: Don't worry.

I won't tell anyone.

[CHUCKLES]

Oh, my God.

Well, he's gonna tell
everyone, isn't he?

Yeah.

Giddyap.

Ah.

[SNORTS]

[CHARIOT DRIVER NEIGHS]

SPENCER: [CHUCKLES]

Hey, man. You good?

I came to work out and, um...

You, uh, know that guy
I hurt in the bowl game...

- Roger Taylor?
- Yeah.

Turns out the, uh, injury
was worse than they thought.

They say he might not play again.

That's heavy...

But you know that's
not your fault, right?

Isaiah, I've done what
you're doing now, man.

I hurt one of my best
friends in junior year...

It's not the same.

I understand what you're saying, but

I'm telling you, it's not the same.

- And it is still not your fault.
- No, you...

- You don't understand. I...
- SPENCER: Isaiah,

I know.

Look at me.

I know.

And I am telling you,

it is not your fault.

Playing for a school like Coastal,

in my hometown?

That's the dream.

That's what we want to hear.

JABARI: The coach says you
might want me at spring ball,

so we worked up a plan
for me to graduate early.

BILLY: Right. It's a heavier
workload, but, uh, he says

he can get it done, so...

he's gonna get it done.

- JABARI: Guess I'm not really playing hard-to-get.
- [BILLY CHUCKLES]

Well, I guess there's
just one more thing.

I'm gonna leave it to Coach Adams here,

since he's the one
who hounded me to watch

your game tape until
: in the morning.

[CHUCKLES]

Jabari, we believe that you have
elite potential at the next level.

We'd like you to do it with a
Coastal California Jersey on.

For real?

[SIGHS]

Full ride.

Official offer.

ASHER: All you gotta do is say yes.

You better get up, boy.

Hell yes.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

Welcome to the Rays, Jabari.

JABARI: Thank you, Coach.

My man.

Thank you, Coach.

Look, you earned this.

Keep earning it.

- I'm proud of you, boy.
- JABARI: Yes, sir.

BILLY: A full ride. Come on.

[JJ SIGHS, FRONT DOOR CLOSES]

- What's up, J.?
- Hey.

Uh, I wanted to talk to you
about last night, actually.

Oh. Wildest yesterday
I've had in a while.

[CHUCKLES] What you want to talk about?

What you saw outside of Jacob's.

Oh. No way.

You saw them, too? [CHUCKLES]

JORDAN: [CHUCKLES] What?

Those two hotties, making out.

Oh, one girl had that
sexy, short haircut

and pant-suit look I like.

Uh, no. No. No way.

- I must have missed them.
- Ah, damn it.

Was hoping you saw them because

there was something about them...

- Uh-huh.
- Like I knew them,

or they asked me to have a threesome.

- [SCOFFS]
- Anyway,

it'll come back to me eventually.

[CHUCKLES]

Yeah.

BILLY: Right. Um, Laura will be in soon.

- Can I get you something to drink?
- COOP: No, I'm good.

Actually, I wanted to talk to
you about Preach's custody case.

Oh, yeah. Laura told me.
Every father's nightmare.

Yeah. Uh, well, I wanted to
know if you'd be interested

in being a character reference
for him since you guys

have done all the work
at the school and...

Say less. Absolutely. That's a good man.

That is a great idea, Coop.

He's seen firsthand the transformation

Preach has made since he's been
working at South Crenshaw High.

I have. Feel free to contact my office

- for a scheduling availability.
- LAURA: Oh.

- Someone's got jokes today.
- BILLY: Ha ha ha!

Uh, sorry. I didn't mean to
ambush you on the weekend.

No, no. It was a great idea.

- Yeah.
- But I'm glad you came by

because I wanted to talk
to you about Preach's case.

OK.

I'm gonna take you off of it.

You... you can't do that. I mean,

- Preach and Amina are like family to me.
- I know,

which makes you way too
close to be an asset.

You've got to be able to see the case

exactly how the judge is gonna see it.

So Darius is gonna take over,

and I need you to give him some space.

So, I looked you up last night.

Seems like you're pretty
good at catching a football.

- You want my autograph?
- [GIGGLES]

Sign and date, please.

That's funny.

What is?

I was thinking the same thing.

Signed.

And if you serious about that date,

that's my number.

OK.

- All right.
- All right.

[CHUCKLES]

- Uh...
- Dress, dress.

- I forgot the...
- ALICIA: Yeah.

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Olivia?

Isaiah.

- Can I sit?
- Yeah. Sure.

I, uh, saw Spencer this morning,

and he said I should talk to you...

About Coach.

Coach Garrett?

Did he tell you to injure
Roger Taylor in the bowl game?

Yes.

And he taught me how to do it, too.

We practiced.