05x09 - Feel It in the Air

[bunniefuu]

[WIND BLOWING]

[CELL PHONE VIBRATES]

VOICE ON PHONE: You have a new reminder.

Urgent interview regarding
bounty allegations at GAU.

Oh, man.

I wonder if I should postpone
my meeting with A.D. Barnes.

- No.
- Baby, these winds are angry.

- This is some angry wind.
- Nope, nope, nope. Can't be angry, Billy.

It's not a person. You're
going to the meeting.

Just back away from the window, OK?

- Everything's fine.
- OLIVIA: Ooh! Ooh!

- [DOOR CLOSES]
- God. It's crazy out there.

See? What'd I tell you?

I woke up this morning, and
I knew something wasn't right.

Every year, these Santa
Ana winds blow into town,

and strange things start to happen.

People go all crazy. That's why
they call them the devil winds.

- It's a bad omen.
- They are not a bad omen.

What about when the
kitchen caught on fire? Huh?

It was windy as hell that
day, wasn't it? Tell her.

- No, that's just 'cause Mom was trying to cook.
- LAURA: Hey!

- OLIVIA: Well, he started it.
- Don't blame me. Blame the wind.

All right. This is getting ridiculous.

- OLIVIA: Ooh!
- LAURA: Whoa!

Oh.

LAURA: Uh...

- I'll shut that again.
- [DOOR CLOSES]

Uh-huh.

Forget about the wind.

You're going to the
meeting. It's gonna be great.

- It's a big day for you.
- BILLY: OK.

- LAURA: OK.
- All right.

All these years later,
and I still can't believe

you got Vera Stevens to marry you.

Well, it's actually
Vera Barnes now. [LAUGHS]

Who, by the way, has been asking me

the same question every
single night this week.

Has Billy made a decision yet?

Uh, well, I did.

- I'm in. Let's do this.
- There it is. That's what I'm talkin' about.

[LAUGHS] Man, I've never had to work
so hard to get somebody on staff.

Well, you know, I just had to make sure.

Listen, uh, I have, uh,

some new ideas about the coaching staff.

I know Kenny was the, uh,

wide receiver's coach last season.

I'd love to elevate him to
offensive coordinator this year.

Listen, Billy, before you start
moving furniture around, OK,

you need to understand a
couple things about the house.

Like what? Y'all got termites?

Close. Bureaucrats.

The NCAA is here conducting an
inquiry into the football program.

- An inquiry?
- Look, they just wanna make sure

that no one else here is involved

- in the "bounty" scandal.
- OK, well,

- what are they gonna find?
- Nothing at all. It was all Garrett.

- Then we're good.
- You're good.

Yeah. I mean, unfortunately,
Kenny is not so lucky.

He and the other coaches are
somewhat tainted by association.

Right. Right.

Billy, come on, now. Don't waver on me,

'cause you are exactly
what we need here.

You are gonna help this university

forge a brave path into the future,

and I'm actually just...

just glad I could be along for the ride.

You know what I'm sayin'?

OK. All right. So, when do I start?

Yeah, well, that... that's
on hold for right now.

I mean, until the inquiry ends,

the university has implemented
this hiring freeze thing.

I thought you just said we were good.

You are good. It's just temporary.

Once the NCAA gets their answers,

then you are gonna be
announced as the new head coach.

Billy, come on, trust me.

This is a good day.

Welcome to GAU.

[CELL PHONE VIBRATES]

Uh-oh. You gonna answer Skye bae or nah?

- [LAUGHS]
- [CELL PHONE CHIMES]

Uh-uh, man. Worry
about your own girl, OK?

I ain't even sure Alicia
is my girl no more.

[FRIDGE DOOR CLOSES]

[CLEARS THROAT] Oh, it's Ash.

Wants me to drop off some
clothes at the hospital again.

Damn, is Jaymee gonna be OK?

They're still waiting on more
tests, but she's stable for now.

Well, I could drop the
clothes off for him.

Give me a chance to check on them both.

All right. Bet.

What you mean, Alicia
ain't your girl no more?

Why don't we keep talking about Ash?

Damn, it's that bad with Alicia?

She basically gave me an
ultimatum after the roast.

Fall back completely or take
things to the next level.

Bro, you love the next level.

I mean, you... you more
of a lesbian than me.

Pretty much shopping for
a ring by the second date.

You can kiss my ass, OK?

Look, with the interview I
gotta do about the bounty gate,

I just got a lot on my plate right now.

So, that's it, then?

Alicia is fun. Dating her is easy.

Why can't that be enough for now?

'Cause if a girl tell you
she wants to move forward,

and you're like, "nah,
let's keep chillin',"

you're basically telling her it's over.

[CELL PHONE VIBRATING]

Yeah? Because Skye told you she
loves you, and you didn't say it back.

Is it over between y'all?

- I got this under control.
- Yeah. OK.

- [CELL PHONES VIBRATING]
- Oh.

Let me hear what you gonna say.

Uh, I haven't seen that face in a while.

- OLIVIA: What face?
- LAYLA: That flirty face.

- Who are you texting?
- OLIVIA: Nobody.

- LAYLA: Uh-huh.
- [SENDS TEXT]

OK, fine. It's Noah.

- LAYLA: Wait, co-worker Noah?
- OLIVIA: Mm-hmm.

Really?

Yeah. I guess you
could say we have, like,

textual chemistry or whatever.

Wow. That was really corny,

which means you really like this guy.

When did this all go down?

Um, well,

I kissed him the night
of my dad's roast.

Really? Um, and... ?

And...

I felt butterflies.

I haven't felt like that since...

Well, I'm... I'm happy for you, Liv.

Well, good, because
I asked co-worker Noah

out on a date tonight and
before you say, "really?"

- Yes, Layla, really.
- OK.

OK.

So, what do you think?

Is it crooked?

No.

A little bit.

Well, the guy used a level.

Maybe it's your shoes.

You think I should change my shoes?

OK, is this about the poster

or the whole "win a lunch
with Patience" thing today?

I mean, I'm not gonna lie.

I'm stressed about it.

Um, did you secure the table?

- LAYLA: At Slauson?
- PATIENCE: Mm-hmm.

Yeah, I gotta say the
cashier was a little surprised

since no one has literally
ever made a reservation there,

but, yes, I secured it.

- PATIENCE: OK, did you...
- LAYLA: And before you ask,

um, it's not too close to
the door or the bathroom,

and, yes, they still have hot
chocolate written on their chalk menu.

- PATIENCE: Cool.
- LAYLA: So, can we move on now?

Wait, no, no, no, OK. You were the one

that said I needed to
do this whole fan thing,

and now you're acting pressed
'cause I care about the details?

There's a difference
between caring and obsessing.

Like, since when do you care
about exactly where you're sitting?

I don't know. Since
every single move I make

is now being scrutinized
online. Like, um,

what I wear, what I... what I drink.

You know, there's a... a
tweet that I saw the other day

that accused me of blinking too much.

Yeah. And I don't know.
What if they meet me

and they decide they don't like me?

They're like, literally,
your biggest fan.

They're gonna love you.

OK.

Yeah. [SCOFFS]

How'd the interview go?

Can I open my juice first or... ?

What'd you say in the interview?

That I didn't know anything.

OK? That I found out that Garrett

was a sociopath after the
fact. I told the truth.

OK, bet. Me, too.

So, why do I feel mad guilty?

Because he was right in front of us

and we just couldn't see it.

I mean, then again,
we're just students, but

it's a different story for the coaches.

- What are you talking about?
- I mean, the administration is

probably gonna fire Coach Kenny

and the other assistant coaches.

You know, clean house.

- At least that's what my dad said.
- Hold up.

Why didn't your pops tell me this?

I'm the one that's been pushing
for Kenny to become head coach.

He probably just thought that

I would tell you, you know?

This whole thing's unfair, man.

- Kenny ain't do nothing wrong.
- Yeah, we know that,

but the court of public opinion is
a whole different story, all right?

GAU is trying to save face here,

so, unless we can find someone

who can prove that
Garrett acted alone...

- Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
- Yeah.

- SPENCER: Isaiah.
- JORDAN: Isaiah.

Every time I talk to you guys,

you're asking me to
blow up my entire life.

I already did the last favor you asked.

I'm done.

SPENCER: Look, look, I
wish an anonymous quote

in an article was enough, but it ain't.

In order to clear Coach Kenny
and all the other coaches,

- they will need a firsthand account, man.
- Why?

- No one ever said they were involved.
- It doesn't matter, Isaiah.

The administration is probably gonna

feel pressure to clean house.

That means every assistant
coach on this team

is gonna lose their job unless someone

can prove that Garrett acted alone.

The second that I admit that I
intentionally injured a player,

I'm done.

My scholarship will be gone.

Look, I feel bad for
Kenny, the other coaches,

but they can get another job.

Not if they get fired for this.

This will follow them around forever.

They will always be the guys

who used college kids
for target practice.

Come on, Isaiah.

- You know this is the right thing to do.
- Stop, stop, stop.

Look, this is your decision.

Just like it was when you talked to Liv.

Now you got all the facts, so,

whatever you tell the NCAA is up to you.

Come on.

[POP MUSIC PLAYING]

Hey. Uh, you're Miko, right?

- I'm Patience.
- MIKO: Patience.

I know. Obviously. Ha!

Am I late?

No. Sorry. I... I was really excited,

so, I got here, like, an hour early.

It is so great to meet you.

Well, yeah, you, too. You, too.

Um, you kind of look familiar.

Like, have we met before?

You recognize me?

I was at your... your Vortex tour.

out of stops.

I couldn't make the
last one because I got

walking pneumonia since
tour was outdoors,

but I did watch the livestream.

Don't worry.

Wow. [LAUGHS]

I know I'm a bit extra.

It's just...

You sort of changed my life.

OK. Yeah. Now... now
you're exaggerating.

No, seriously. I mean,
I was... I was made fun of

a lot in school.

I don't know. I just...

I was just... I was just really shy

and I just didn't like myself.

But chatting with the
Vortex fandom online

and watching the way you
blossomed this year, it...

it's helped me be more confident,

comfortable with who I am.

And, like, I'm still
uncool, obviously, but...

I don't mind so much these days.

Hmm. Well, Miko, um...

I think you are very cool.

OK?

Oh, and... [CHUCKLES] Thank
you for this. Ha ha ha!

Mmm. It's good.

So, what do you think Isaiah's gonna do?

Either way, the outcome ain't good.

He tells the truth, he's gone.

If he doesn't, Coach Kenny's gone.

I'm not even gonna recognize
this team in a year.

Kind of makes me jealous
you on the way out.

- Yeah, uh, about that.
- Hmm.

Forgot to tell you,
but I decided to stay.

You forgot to tell me?

What the hell is goin' on, J?

I thought that you'd be happy.

And I thought you were
happy transferring.

I just... I thought about it,

and I decided that

my future was better with GAU.

You think your future's
better with a program

in the middle of an active
investigation? Really?

Do you not want me to stay?

No. You're just not
making any sense, bro.

I'm not making any sense?

Spencer, you were pissed
when I decided to leave GAU.

Now you're salty that I'm staying?

No. No. I'm happy you're staying.

The math just ain't mathing, man.

Look, listen, this is the math.

I changed my mind. That's all.

- SPENCER: Cool.
- JORDAN: Cool.

I should've known this
was gonna happen today, OK?

I mean, do you see how windy out it is?

The Santa Anas are a bad omen.

OK, uh, Jordan,

things aren't perfect right
now, OK, but they're not ominous.

- All right?
- No, yeah.

Actually, I'm happy.

- I'm happy. I have... I have
- OK.

two great things going
on in my life right now.

I just can't talk about 'em.

You know, I can't tell anyone about us.

And I can't tell Spencer
that I'm gonna stay at GAU

because my dad is about
to be our head coach.

OK, um, so, it sounds like

things could get a little messy

between your dad and Spencer, so, just,

you know, be careful not to get
yourself in the middle of it.

Well, I know, I know, I know.

I mean, Spencer's like a
brother to me, you know?

I mean, how did I get here where I am

keeping the best parts
of my life from him?

Why... why are you laughing?

I am not laughing. I'm just...

Smiling.

I just like hearing that I'm one
of the best parts of your life.

Ah. No, no, no, no.
OK. Come here, Layla.

- What?
- You are not one of the best parts of my life.

You are the best part of my life, OK?

OK.

[WIND BLOWING]

Taking a victory lap after your daughter

destroyed the program
with her article, Billy?

Jayden Davis wrote that article.

Right. Right.

Why are you even here?

The NCAA wants to hear
my side of the story.

You are the story.

Maybe. Maybe not.

I hear they're considering
the death penalty.

In the past, that's meant shutting
down entire athletic programs,

sometimes for years at a stretch.

That won't happen if you tell the truth.

This was all you, man.

Don't drag the program and the
other coaches down with you.

Like I said...

Penalties are gonna be severe.

It's a shame what'll happen to
Spencer and Jordan's careers.

[LAUGHS]

Spencer and Jordan
are gonna be just fine.

My first order of business

is gonna be to make sure that
the toxicity at this place

- ends with you.
- [CHUCKLES]

So, that's why you're here.

You're the new head coach.

Oh. I should have known.

That's the worst thing
about the top job, Billy.

You never see the bad things coming.

It's like the wind.

One moment it's at your back,

and the next, it's changing direction.

So, then I mentioned deserts, right?

- Pass me the...
- Oh, yes.

So, then he says, uh...

oh, actually, we...

Thank you.

So, then he says,

"no, I've actually been
there, but there was...

there was no sand."

- Shut up. There's no way.
- I'm dead serious.

So, every time I pitched
a story about food deserts,

Tanner thought I was
talking about, like,

the Sahara being in South Central.

[LAUGHS] Nepo-babies, man.

The richer the parent,
the smoother the brain.

[LAUGHS]

Um, oh, pasta. Pasta.

Oh, no, no. No. It needs to boil

undisturbed for two
minutes and more seconds.

That is what makes my
fettuccine perfection.

OK. We'll see about that.

[WIND WHISTLING]

What the...

[DOOR CREAKS]

NOAH: You know, if you
wanted a candlelit dinner,

you just had to say so.

[CHUCKLES]

[R&B MUSIC PLAYING]

[WIND BLOWING]

Yo, how crazy are these Santa Ana winds?

It's been a minute since
it's been this bad, right?

The weather? That's where we're at now?

I guess what I said after the roast

really freaked you out, huh?

No, no, I'm not freaked out.

Your body language is so
loud right now, Spencer.

Just admit it. I freaked you out.

[MUSIC STOPS]

OK, now I'm freaked out.

OK. I concede that

rolling blackouts are bad luck, OK?

- LAURA: But...
- BILLY: But? No but.

Look at everything
that's been happening.

My new job

is in the middle of
an open investigation.

I can't keep Kenny on staff,

Garrett is on the rampage,

and worst of all, because
of this hiring freeze,

I still can't tell
Spencer about this job.

You could've told Spencer
the minute you got it.

You still can.

You just don't want to
rip the band-aid off.

A word of advice? The
longer you wait to tell him,

the more betrayed he's gonna feel.

[SIGHS]

God, my dad is probably
freaking out right now.

Either that or he's probably
saying, "I told you so,"

'cause he has, like, this whole
theory about the winds being cursed

or, like, I don't know,

making people act out of character.

I mean, you did ask me on a date.

- That's pretty uncharacteristic.
- Yeah. Oh! Found 'em.

And, no, my dad doesn't mean, like,

uncharacteristic in a good way.

He means people acting crazy, like,

super depressed or kind of like
seeing things that aren't there.

Really? Seeing what kind of things?

Hey, can I ask you something?

Yeah. Ask away.

I've been waiting all night.

This. You, me.

When we started out, you put a heavy
emphasis on just keeping it fun.

What changed?

I changed.

Because of you.

Because you're worth
me confronting my fear.

- Is the fettuccine that bad?
- [CHUCKLES]

It's... uh, delicious. Um...

How about we scrap the fettuccine

and jump right to dessert?

Maybe we can watch a movie on my
tablet together before it dies.

Liv?

Uh, what were you like as a kid?

You don't, uh, strike me as
somebody who has a lot of fears.

I'm good at that.

Pretending I'm OK when I'm not.

I had to get good at it.

A couple years ago,

I fell hard for the perfect guy.

He was charming and sweet, and

it turns out he was engaged.

By the end of it, all
three of us got hurt.

And the fact that I played a role

in destroying a sister's relationship,

that left a pretty big emotional scar.

Spencer, you're the first person

that's made me want to
drop all those walls again.

But I saw the way you looked at Olivia

that night at the roast.

It brought back a lot of old feelings.

I can't be the other
woman again, Spencer.

You're not the other woman.

So, you're not still
in love with Olivia?

Is there still a connection there?

Yeah.

But Olivia and I are not
getting back together.

All the reasons we
broke up are still there.

OK. That's honest.

Yeah, but...

Full honesty?

I don't know that I'm exactly
where you're at, either.

But I do like you, Alicia.

OK? I do.

I like you, too.

[EXCITED CHATTER]

But you're not ready.

I'm sorry.

Do you have some sort of
ETA on the announcement?

I don't know. A timeline?

'Cause he keeps asking questions
about the transfer portal, so...

- SPENCER: What's up, J?
- Oh, man. OK.

- SPENCER: You all right?
- JORDAN: I'm all right.

- What's with the bat, man?
- You know. Blackouts.

Devil winds.

- It's protection.
- You Bakers are special.

- Who was you on the phone to?
- Layla.

And you just hung up on her like that?

We were wrapping up the
call, so... but how was, uh,

how was your date?
Everything good with Alicia?

It's complicated. You
were talking to Layla

about the transfer portal?

Yup. Yeah. You know, she actually has

some really interesting opinions

about the old, uh, transfer portal.

Uhh, but I am b*at, so...

- SPENCER: It's : .
- JORDAN: Already?

: ? Oh, my. OK, well,

I'm gonna head to bed,

because I have an early-morning
workout tomorrow, but you know what?

You take the night shift,

and, uh, keep us safe.

See? I told you my poster was still up.

Yeah, for now, but, you
know, it's a brutal business.

PATIENCE: Hmm. Yeah. Tell me about it.

What, your win-a-lunch went that bad?

PATIENCE: No. Lunch was
great. An ego boost, even.

It was what happened after

that brought me crashing
back down to earth, so...

We should give you your
privacy. Come on, Coop.

No. No. If we leave her alone

with just her thoughts
and her imagination,

it's only gonna get worse.

COOP: Yo, what happened?

Um, some girls took candid
photos of me at Slauson

and posted them on the Internet.

And then the Internet
decided to go to town.

Turns out they don't think
I'm a fake industry plant.

They think I'm real now.

OK, I mean, that doesn't
sound so bad, so...

No, no, real ugly. Look at the comments.

"She look like she
about to unhinge her jaw

and swallow that cup whole.

"Now I know why she called her album

- 'Welcome to the Vortex.'"
- OK, I didn't say read them out loud.

Um, and... now... yeah, great.

Now I'm self-conscious
about the size of my mouth.

- You have a normal mouth.
- [SCOFFS]

You know, someone in my Insta
comments section once said

my freckles made them want to throw up.

I don't even have freckles.

But I was depressed for a month.

So, I'm speaking from painful experience

when I say I know how you feel.

And if you want, I could
give you some pointers

over coffee about how to cope with it.

You know, navigating social
media is kind of my superpower.

PATIENCE: Yes. Thank
you. That sounds amazing.

Um, I mean, if it's OK with you, Coop.

Yeah. Sure.

Just the person I was looking for.

That's ominous.

[CHUCKLES]

Have you noticed anything strange

about the way Jordan's
been acting lately?

Uh, strange like... strange how?

Strange. [KEYS HIT GROUND]

Sorry. [CLEARS THROAT] Sorry. Strange?

You know. Out of character.

- Jumpy.
- Jumpy. Jumpy.

You know, um,

I really wouldn't know. I haven't
talked to Jordan in a while.

- It's been like a week, so...
- SPENCER: A week?

- LAYLA: Mm-hmm.
- He just told me y'all was talking

on the phone today.

You know. About the transfer portal.

- SPENCER: You remember.
- LAYLA: Oh. Yeah.

- SPENCER: There it is.
- LAYLA: Right.

Yeah, um, you know,
now that you mention it,

we did discuss it, and, um, I had some,

some very informed, uh, opinions

about the, uh...

BOTH: The transfer portal.

- SPENCER: Yeah. That's dope.
- LAYLA: Yeah.

- Like what?
- Um, you know, I just told him...

- just told him not to do it.
- Mm.

Yeah. Anyway, um, I'm
feeling pretty tired,

so, I'll just catch you later.

[BOTH LAUGH]

Hey, hold up. Listen.

Great, as if this moment couldn't
possibly get more awkward.

My bad. I didn't mean to
interrupt y'all's date.

Uh, no. We were just...

We were just washing up.

It's good to see you, Spencer.

Actually, it's good
to see anything again.

That blackout was crazy.

Yeah, it hit Slauson, too.

Came outta nowhere.

Looks like candles
saved everybody tonight.

NOAH: Yeah. Thankfully, it
added to the ambience, right?

Right. Yes. A+ ambience.

Right. Well, sorry
again for interrupting.

LAYLA: Uh, Spencer, why don't we, um,

why don't we finish our
conversation tomorrow?

- SPENCER: Yeah. I'll call you.
- LAYLA: OK. Good.

[SPENCER CLEARS THROAT]

[DOOR OPENS]

- I'm sorry we got interrupted by...
- Your ex?

It's totally fine.

He actually seemed cool with it.

Uh, yeah. He did.

I had a great night, Liv.

- You know, the fettuccine wasn't so bad.
- Ouch.

'Cause that's what a guy strives to hear

the first time he cooks for his date.

Next time, I'll use less garlic.

Drive safe.

[SIGHS]

What's going on?

Cleaning out my locker.

You told the NCAA the truth.

I told them that Garrett was the
only one responsible for the bounties.

And when they asked how I knew that,

I told 'em what I did at the bowl game.

Look, man, hey...

Maybe you speaking up can
count for something, you know?

You a victim in all this, too.

Got the official email this morning.

They're erasing my spot on the team

and revoking my scholarship.

It's done, Spence.

I'm sorry, man.

You don't deserve any of this.

I think I did deserve it.

And, honestly, I feel better.

Every morning since I made that hit,

I've woken up with this
heavy feeling in my chest.

Shame. Disappointment.

But today, I didn't feel that.

All that guilt Garrett made me carry,

that's on him now.

I owned up to what I did.

I stopped letting fear
keep me from moving forward.

I'm moving on.

I'm turning a page.

ALICIA: Hey.

Hey.

Thank you for coming.

After our last conversation,
I didn't think there was

anything else that needed to be said.

I saw Liv last night.

Not on purpose. I just...

I ran into her.

She was with this new
guy she's been dating.

They seem happy.

- And it made me feel like...
- Devastated?

No.

Hopeful.

Things with me and Liv
got so painful at the end.

And there she was on the
other side of it, laughing.

It made me realize that maybe my fears

have been stopping me
from doing the same thing.

- What are you saying?
- I'm saying

that you're worth me
facing my fears, Alicia.

And that if you still want to
take things to the next level,

I'm in.

But if I'm too late, then

- I'll know I'm the one who messed this up.
- No.

You're not too late.

- SPENCER: I'm not?
- ALICIA: I'm not gonna lie.

You almost were too late, but yes.

I still want this.

Are you sure, Spencer?

Because I need you to be...

[LAUGHTER]

Coop, your girl's a genius.

I'm sorry. Don't you mean I'm
an international enter-the-door?

[PATIENCE AND SKYE LAUGH]

COOP: Y'all got inside jokes now?

[LAUGHS]

I thought you were supposed to
be giving her business advice.

I did. Quick, Patience,

the laws of social media.

PATIENCE: Uh, one...
never engage with haters,

- and, two... always keep fans...
- At a arm's length.

- Because?
- Because even the best fan is like a panda.

[PATIENCE AND SKYE LAUGH]

PATIENCE: Cute from a distance,

but let it in the house,
that thing will k*ll you.

- SKYE: Mm-hmm. And ?
- PATIENCE: And , , .

- Stay sexy, beautiful. Yup, yup.
- SKYE: Yeah.

COOP: Stay what?

I showed her how to use
this photo editing app

so she could have quality
control over her candid pictures.

And, yes, stay sexy, beautiful.

PATIENCE: Stay sexy. Aah!

Thank you. And, seriously,
I really do appreciate it.

- SKYE: Yeah, of course.
- PATIENCE: OK. I'll see you. Bye.

[SKYE LAUGHS]

[SIGHS] You were so right, Coop.

She is cool and awesome,

and she offered me a job
managing her social media.

A job? Like, a legit job?

I know, right? And
if I impress Patience,

she'll put in a good
word with Layla and Gia.

And, I don't know,
maybe I could help out

- her other Formonica artists.
- All right. This is just a bit...

Amazing. I know. And
look at the plus side.

You in the vortex isn't
gonna be an issue anymore

because now I'm right there with you.

Hmm. Damn.

So Isaiah lost his scholarship
and his spot on the team?

We knew it was a possibility.

He did say being honest was a relief,

that it felt good getting a secret out

that had been weighing on him.

Good for him.

That's all you got to say?

What else should I say?

You don't know how it feels to
have a secret weighing on you?

Come on, J. I already know, man.

- JORDAN: You do?
- SPENCER: Yeah.

It's not like you been slick.

First you decide to stay at GAU

for no reason,

then you talking to Layla
about the transfer portal,

and finally, you been real happy lately

despite everything
going on with the team.

It's obvious, man.

Look, Spence, I...

I really wanted to tell you.

That you dating Layla?

What?

What? You... oh, now you gonna deny it?

Why else would you decide to stay, man?

She's the one that's
been making you happy.

You just didn't wanna do
the long distance again.

Unless I'm wrong and
there's another explanation

- for why you been acting so weird lately.
- Oh, no, no, no. That is...

that is... that is it. I...

- I am dating Layla.
- [LAUGHS]

I knew it.

Why didn't you tell me, man?

I ain't in no position
to judge nobody's nothing.

[SIGHS] We, uh...

We just wanted to keep
things under wraps,

you know, to protect us,

give us time to figure out what this is

before we get everyone else involved.

And? Y'all figured it out?

She's amazing, Spence.

Then I'm legit happy for you, man.

And don't worry. You got my
word. I ain't gonna tell nobody.

You should've known that,
J. We're brothers, man.

I'd never betray your trust.

- SPENCER: Congrats.
- JORDAN: Hmm.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Hey, you, uh, you wanted to talk?

Did you tell Garrett that I
offered you the head coaching spot?

Uh, well, he guessed.

And why does that matter?
It was basically official.

It matters because he's
a vengeful piece of...

he is determined to burn
this whole thing down

before he'll let you sit on his throne.

Garrett walks into the interview,

and he tells them that I
knew all about the bounties,

that it was my desire to win bowl games,

my ambition that forced him into it.

Then he also said that it was the fact

that I signed the scholarship checks

is proof that I was involved.

[CHUCKLES]

He's trying to tear down this
program, Billy. The whole thing.

Is he trying to tear the program down,

or is he trying to tear you down?

I am the program.

OK, um...

Well, did you know about bounty gate?

[LAUGHS]

You're seriously
asking me that question?

The ease in which you're standing there

and you're questioning my
character, Billy, it's...

it's very concerning.

But if you need to hear me say it, no.

I did not know about Garrett's bounties.

Well, proving that's another story.

OK, listen, this... this whole thing

is gonna get complicated,

right, and it's gonna get much
worse before it gets better,

right, but, Billy,

I need to know that
as my new head coach,

I need to know that
you're standing with me.

♪ Mm mm mm mm mm... ♪

♪ I always followed the rules ♪

♪ No boundaries needed for you ♪

♪ Once golden, now
turned to black sheep ♪

♪ Your disappointing
gaze can be so cruel ♪

♪ Oh, I could lie and just sit ♪

♪ Obey, say sorry ♪

♪ Mm mm mm mm mm... ♪

♪ Oh ♪

- ♪ I don't know where I ♪
- [TABLET CHIMES]

♪ Belong... ♪

_

PATIENCE, VOICE-OVER: Two...
always keep fans at a arm's length.

- SKYE, VOICE-OVER: Because?
- PATIENCE: Because even the best fan is like a panda.

Cute from a distance,
but let it in the house,

that thing might k*ll you.

♪ Oh, oh... ♪

♪ I don't know where I ♪

- ♪ Belong ♪
- _

- Hi.
- Hi.

What's wrong?

I kissed Noah at Dad's roast.

[GASPS] Co-worker Noah?

- And you didn't want to kiss him?
- I did at first.

And I even felt, like...
like, butterflies. But...

and then I took him on this whole,
like, romantic date, but I...

all I could think about was Spencer.

Aww. Sweetie.

No one makes me feel
the way Spencer does.

Look, Liv, it's really hard to get over

someone that you felt
a real connection with.

It's understandable and natural,

and it just takes time.

I should've fought harder for him.

He ended things because he thought

that I was happier without him.

- But I'm not.
- Baby, if you love Spencer

and you want him back...

Then go fight for him now.

JOHNNY STIMSON: ♪ You make
it hard to say good-bye ♪

♪ Little tiny Aphrodite,
I don't wanna wake you up ♪

♪ When you smile in your sleep, ♪

♪ I wonder what you're dreaming of ♪

♪ You got that temporary cherry
blossom potion on your lips ♪

- ♪ I wanna swallow up your ocean... ♪
- Wait. Wait. Wait.

You sure you're good? I
ain't trying to rush you.

Spencer, what did you think I meant
by take things to the next level?

I figured we'd have some long,

serious talks about our dreams,

our careers, politics.

[LAUGHS] Oh, really? Mm.

All right. How about a compromise?

Mm.

You talk and I listen.

♪ ... find it
impossible to leave you ♪

♪ With that look in your eyes ♪

♪ You make it hard... ♪

What, you don't want to talk anymore?

No, I just really like
the way you listen.

♪ You make it hard to say good-bye ♪

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

JORDAN: We need to talk about Spencer.

Come in.

- Look, I'm gonna tell Spencer about this job.
- No,

no, Dad. Listen to me, OK? I...

[CHUCKLES] I am so excited

that you're gonna be
the new head coach, OK?

I changed around all of my plans

- because I cannot wait to play for you again.
- OK.

But I won't be a part of the lies.

Oh, hold up. Um, I
did not lie to Spencer.

Wow. You can't even admit that. I mean,

- what are you so scared of?
- Excuse me.

What exactly is it that I'm
supposed to be scared of?

You are scared that if Spencer finds out

that you took the head coach job,

he's gonna feel like
you betrayed Coach Kenny,

like you betrayed him.

Huh. Your mother said the same thing.

Dad, you know better than anyone

that the one thing Spencer
values more than anything

is honesty.

I can't lie to his face anymore, OK?

He deserves better from the both of us.

So, either you tell him about
the job tomorrow, or I will.

[DOOR CLOSES]

Mr. James.

- Did we have a meeting?
- No, sir.

I talked to Isaiah Winfield.

And, look, I don't mean to overstep,

but now the NCAA knows Coach Garrett

is solely responsible for bounty gate.

Coach Kenny has been cleared.

Yes. Yes, he is. Of course. Well,

as soon as we make our
official announcement,

Billy will be allowed to
keep Kenny on the staff.

You know, I think he even
mentioned elevating him

to the offensive coordinator
position, which is big.

Why is it up to Coach Baker?

I mean, I know he was
pushing for Coach Kenny,

but shouldn't you be
making the final decision?

Oh.

That's my bad. See, I thought...

I thought Billy
would've told you by now.

- Told me what?
- Well, as of yesterday,

Billy Baker officially accepted my offer

to be the new head coach of
Golden Angeles University.

Oh, yeah, we still have a
few loose ends to tie up,

but I can tell you I
speak for everyone here

when I say we're really excited

to have you both
reunited on the Condors.

Really looking forward to it.