03x13 - Bring the Noise

[bunniefuu]

MALE SINGER: ♪ They used to say they didn't know ♪

♪ But now they know ♪

♪ Now everybody's at the show ♪

♪ 'Cause now they know ♪

♪ They used to hate us on the low, but now they don't...

♪ - FRAUSTO: Hey, Coach.

- BILLY: Hey now.

- Came by to grab my stuff.

- Cool, cool, cool.

Yo, you mad about last night?

No, no.

Look...

the only thing I ask of my players is that they go out there and they make me proud, and y'all did exactly that last night.

You stood up for something that you believed in, and you sacrificed everything.

How many people can say that?

Wait.

What's gonna happen to you when Carter cuts the football program?

Be careful now.

You almost sound like you're worried about me.

Look, you ain't half-bad, all right?

- BILLY: Heh heh!

- JORDAN: Hey, thought you could use a pick-me-up.

Sorry for interrupting.

FRAUSTO: No, no, you good.

I'mma head out, actually.

BILLY: Frausto, look, no matter what happens, um, I ain't got no regrets, and you shouldn't, either.

All that's left to do now is move forward, which is why I'm settin' up a, uh, scrimmage game for us this weekend.

- Against who?

- You let me worry about that.

The important thing is I got scouts comin'.

Been on the phone with 'em all night.

I promised 'em a hell of a game, so you better deliver.

- Oh, I will, I will.

- My man.

Looks like we both took hits this season we didn't see comin', huh?

- BILLY: Yeah.

- JORDAN: But shoulda known it wouldn't keep you down long.

We are Baker boys.

We pull through.

- JORDAN: Yes, we do.

- [DOOR OPENS]

- SPENCER: Yo.

- DILLON: Good.

Mom's making waffles?

- What's the occasion?

- Yeah, she feels bad for you.

GRACE: Uh, no.

I said Spencer was feeling bad, which you shouldn't.

Took guts to do what you did.

- Proud of you.

- SPENCER: Thanks, but I already got that speech from Coach Baker.

Well, I bet mines was better.

Definitely shorter.

You got somethin' from Palm State College,

- and it looks important.

- GRACE: It's nothing.

- Oh, she hidin' somethin'.

- [SCOFFS]

Yeah.

- She...

she definitely hidin' somethin'.

- 'Member, Mom, - lying is a sin, so...

- GRACE: Uh, not to your children.

Just make it easy on yourself.

Tell us, or we will "Mom" you to death.

- All right.

- BOTH: Mom?

Mom.

- Mom?

Mom.

Mom...

- GRACE: Okay, all right, all right.

It's just my...

diploma.

Your diploma?

Ain't they supposed to have a ceremony?

The ceremony happened a few days ago, but with everything that's going on, didn't feel right celebrating.

- Oh, we celebratin'.

- Most definitely.

It's party time.

- MALE SINGER: ♪ I don't count sheep, I count honeys in my sleep, yeah ♪

Okay.

Where to next?

SPENCER: Look, there is not a store window from here to Crenshaw without a poster in it.

Why don't you take a break before you break?

Because I feel like if I stop, I'm letting Tamika down.

I feel you, but somebody once told me you can't take care of others if you don't take care of yourself.

That was you.

Well, that is really good advice, so what do you suggest?

I mean, I'm throwin' my mom a surprise graduation party here tonight.

You could take your mind off everything by helpin' me.

Win-win.

And that way, you don't have to plan the party by yourself.

- SPENCER: Win again.

- [CELL PHONE VIBRATES]

You good?

The cops who m*rder*d Tamika were just fired.

So, good news about the cops getting fired.

Yeah.

It's a small step, but one in the right direction.

Yeah, and, you know, I was...

I was thinking the same thing, you know, 'cause there's a lot more that we can do.

You know, I can get Tamika's parents on my podcast.

I mean, we could organize a rally...

Okay, enough.

There is no "we".

I know you want the officers indicted.

So do I, but I can't even get them to talk to me right now because...

It... it doesn't matter.

It's okay.

Just say it.

It's thanks to me.

I get it.

Look, I know you didn't mean to, but you made things a lot harder for me, so just go...

be a teenager, please, and let me do my job.

It's okay.

[SIGHS]

MALE SINGER: ♪ My baby don't play games with me ♪

COOP: Yo, man, what's so important that you gotta get me outta my bed before noon?

Want to show you somethin'.

COOP: Yo, what?

You did this?

PREACH: Nah, I got it offa rodeo.

Of course I did.

I'm tryin' to step your merch game up.

Somethin' slight, nothin' too crazy.

- What you think?

- Man, what you think I think?

My name is on your t-shirt, bro!

This is fire!

I figure, since you're blowin' up now, you need someone handling your merchandisin', and I'm thinkin' that someone should be me.

No doubt, but I do think my name should be bigger.

- PREACH: I got designs.

- [COOP CHUCKLES]

I just need a little capital to get it goin'.

Think you may know a producer who may be interested?

SPENCER: So I guess there ain't gonna be no mother-daughter crime-fighting duo?

OLIVIA: Nope.

[SIGHS]

Do you still need help planning your mom's party?

- Hey, hey.

- What?

First thing we gotta do is talk quietly 'cause she in the next room.

I'm sorry, but I mean, like, I mean, we should go all out, you know, like, get her a cap and gown?

- And we can get her favorite cake.

- What's her favorite cake?

DILLON: Yo, Spencer, you're on TV.

MAN ON TV: Inspired by their star receiver, Spencer James, the South Crenshaw Chargers took a stand last night by taking a knee for Tamika Pratt.

Her case received national attention after D.A. Laura Baker's daughter leaked police bodycam footage of the incident.

The two are being dubbed the face of a new movement.

Oh, you guys are famous.

OLIVIA: Why are they focusing on us?

I mean, we're not the only ones protesting for Tamika.

Anyone can be loud on Twitter, but you two actually made a difference, and people are takin' notice.

SPENCER: That's what I'm worried about.

Not everybody's on the same side as us.

I mean, maybe this is a good thing.

I mean, maybe we could use this to get those cops arrested.

Didn't your mama tell you to leave it alone?

Well, that was before we became the face of a movement.

SPENCER: We already got the cops fired, and your mom's doing what she does to get 'em put away.

- What more can we do?

- You've done plenty, and we're all beyond proud of you.

Stop puttin' so much pressure on yourselves.

MALE SINGER: ♪ I'm feelin'... ♪

GWEN: Lunch was a nice surprise.

Now I'll get to see you twice in one day.

Jacob is excited to finally get to spend some time with you tonight.

Wait till you see his new restaurant.

Uh, I was...

I was kinda thinkin' this would be instead of dinner.

I need to get some reps in on the field tonight.

- What?

- It's just funny.

Every time I try to make plans with you and Jacob, you always... seem to have other things going on.

It's not that funny.

- GWEN: Hmm.

- VANESSA: Hey, Asher.

ASHER: Hey.

I'm Vanessa.

Hi, Vanessa.

I...

I'm Asher's mom.

Would you like to join us?

Oh, thank you.

Uh, I was just heading out.

I just wanted to say hi.

Do you want to study for that math test later?

Yeah, sure, uh, I'll, uh, text you.

Cool.

So nice to meet you.

- GWEN: Yes, you, too.

- [FOOTSTEPS RETREAT]

"Studying"?

Is that what you call it?

When we're studying, yeah.

- What's going on with you two?

- Nothing.

We're just friends.

Well, I didn't really get the friends vibe from her.

I got the "study" doesn't mean "study" vibe.

Can we not talk about this?

It's already caused enough drama.

Okay, okay, sorry.

I'm...

I...

I...

So, uh, about Jacob, he's going to be my husband.

Can't you just give him a chance?

COOP: Okay, check this out.

LAYLA: Wow.

I love it.

Um, don't... don't you think your name is a little bit big?

Man, if it was up to me, my name'd be bigger than the shirt.

- LAYLA: Yeah.

- COOP: Ha ha!

But anyway, Preach is gonna start handlin' my merch from now on, so you think we could help him out with some seed money?

Uh...

we...

we don't exactly have seed money to spare.

So, um, don't get me wrong.

The shirt is great, but does Preach have any experience in merchandising?

Ain't it just sellin' and movin' product?

I mean, Preach got a lot of experience with that.

Look, I know he's your friend, but artists make a lot of money off merchandising.

Don't you want the best person for the job?

Who says that ain't Preach?

Maybe it is.

Um, why...

why don't you invite him over?

We can talk it out.

COACH MONTES: Billy.

BILLY: Thanks for meetin' up with me, Coach.

Uh, I see you made some changes to the place.

Frosted the glass.

I guess that's, uh, probably for the best.

How's Jordan?

I know sitting out has been tough on him.

Yeah, luckily he's a tough kid, you know?

Takes after his old man.

Mmm.

So, uh, did you just stop by to see how I redecorated?

[CHUCKLING]

No, actually, I have a favor to ask of you.

Uh, I'm assuming you... you know our season ended last night.

I'm sorry.

If it were up to me, you'd still be in.

Well, I'm glad to hear you say that because I'm, uh, actually puttin' together a scrimmage for my boys tomorrow.

I have a couple of scouts comin', and all we need now is a, uh, a team to play.

Hmm, and you want it to be the Eagles.

Well, an unofficial championship rematch, right?

Could be a hell of a game.

[SIGHS]

Look, what your team did took guts.

It shouldn't have cost you the season, but our season isn't over; we're about to make a run for the championship, and I cannot risk any of my guys getting injured in a game they do not need to play.

Right, okay, yeah.

No, I guess I'd, uh, I'd make the same call.

Well, had to ask, right?

Good luck in the playoffs and, uh, don't take your foot off the gas.

- I never do.

- All right.

[SNAPS FINGERS]

Hey, good call on the costume shop.

I just hope it fits.

We didn't have too many options, unless we wanted to go down the sexy judge route, which we don't.

- OLIVIA: Mmm.

- GIRL: Hey, Olivia.

Justice for Tamika.

You see that?

We should be jumping into this "face of the movement" thing with both feet, not running away from it.

Liv, my mom just graduated college.

Why can't Black joy be our activism for today?

You can get back to protestin' and organizin' tomorrow.

MAN: Those officers have families, you know.

You're ruining their lives.

Are you serious?

Ruining their lives?

How can people be more upset with someone getting fired

- than a woman getting m*rder*d?

- SPENCER: A Black woman, and are you really surprised?

Come on.

Let's take our Black joy inside.

SPENCER: Where are your measuring cups?

Why do people have to be so awful?

I thought we agreed, no more news for today.

It's not the news, it's the comments section.

Aw, come on.

That's even worse.

Look, some guy wrote, "Somebody needs to put this woke girl back to bed".

You should hear some of the stuff they say about me after games.

I mean, one dude even said I have bad hands.

Bad hands.

Look at these babies.

You crazy?

Okay, well, that's not as bad as "She should have her eyes gouged out in hell".

I've already been sent to hell.

Why stick things in my eyes, too?

Okay, I said we were focusing on Black joy, and I meant it.

You got to ignore these comments, Liv.

These people don't know you.

Take it from somebody who does.

You are brave, inspirin'.

You're beautiful.

Do not let these anonymous cowards online ever make you doubt that.

So no gouging out my eyes?

What, those pretty eyes?

Crazy.

[SCOFFS]

You gonna help me finish this cake or what?

Yes.

Hey, Coach.

Got a second?

Don't worry.

I'm not here to ask if I can practice with the guys.

We... we both know the answer to that.

It...

it is a no...

right?

- What do you need, Jordan?

- Heh!

Um...

my dad said that he talked to you about letting us scrimmage South Crenshaw?

He did, and I'm sure he also told you my answer.

He did, but I think you're making a mistake.

If the situation was reversed, wouldn't you be asking my dad for the same favor?

Probably, and he would give me the same answer.

Okay, but, Coach, I mean, this game won't just be good for South Crenshaw.

I mean, we could use the practice, too.

I mean, they're a great team; They'd get us in playoff shape.

I appreciate where you're coming from, Jordan, but this is not your decision.

With all due respect, Coach, it kinda is.

- Excuse me?

- Look, the game won't be played on school property, and what we do with our free time is up to us.

Okay, I've already talked to all the guys, and they all want to play.

Is that so?

Look, we've all agreed it's the right thing to do...

So we're gonna do it, with or without you, but we'd love to have our coach with us.

Here you go.

Hey, stranger.

You flying solo?

Hey.

Actually, waiting for Vanessa.

Mmm.

How romantic.

We're studying for a math test.

Less romantic, but, um, she's obviously got you into the books and off the field,

- so must be serious.

- [SCOFFS]

Not you, too.

We're studying, Layla.

That's it.

You know, not everyone needs someone else to make them happy.

[SCOFFS]

Well, clearly I hit a nerve.

Sorry.

It's not you.

I got into it with my mom earlier.

Well, how's that going...

your mom and the whole "almost stepdad" situation?

She wants me to have dinner with him, then after that, maybe we'll play catch.

[CHUCKLES]

It's just dinner, Ash.

I'm all my dad's got left, and we're finally in a really good place.

If I hang out with Jacob and I like him, it's gonna crush my dad.

If I don't, I'll hurt my mom.

It's a no-win situation.

Then don't go for the win.

Look, they're both adults.

You can't control how they feel, and besides,

- feelings aren't facts.

- What does that mean?

It means that the facts are that Jacob is gonna be your stepdad, and you can't avoid him forever, so just get dinner over with and then deal with everyone else's feelings later, when you actually know what they are.

You can handle this, Asher, and I could not have said that to the Asher I used to date.

Imagine that.

Growth.

Yeah.

Um, don't bite my head off for saying this, but...

maybe invite Vanessa?

A buffer never hurt anyone, she is very cool, and you two like hanging out, right?

[SIGHS]

_ Nope.

I understand.

Yeah.

All right.

Thanks anyway.

Hey.

What brings you out here again?

I, um, I wanted to tell you this in person.

- Did you fail another drug test?

- No.

- Did Olivia bust up the car?

- No.

Please don't tell me Simone's pregnant again.

No, Dad!

No.

Okay, look, I just wanted to tell you I talked to Coach Montes, and the Eagles are gonna play.

- For real?

- Mm-hmm.

How did you get her to change her mind?

- [PHONE VIBRATES]

- That Baker charm, right?

Ha!

- What's up?

- It's Carter.

[SETS DOWN PHONE]

[SIGHS]

We can't use the field.

Are you sure you know what you're doin'?

- Come on, girl.

You know I got skill.

- [GIGGLES]

Hey, I was thinkin' we should have that graduation song playin' when my mom gets there.

[HUMMING "THE WEDDING MARCH"]

That's the wedding song.

[CHUCKLES]

You'll get it.

Don't worry.

- Oh, it's okay.

- What do you think?

Wow.

That is...

really good, like, amazingly good.

- You've done this before.

- I mean, maybe once, for my mom's birthday, and all of Dillon's birthdays.

I was just tryin' to take your mind off everything.

You did.

You made me feel a lot better.

You've done that before, too.

[PHONE VIBRATES]

Hmm.

Is everything okay?

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

What the hell happened?

Isn't it obvious?

I was here when it happened.

This guy came in, yelling about the "Black Lives Matter" poster, saying, "All lives matter", demanding they take it down.

About a minute after they kicked him out, a brick crashed through the window.

If I wasn't all over the news, this place woulda never been targeted.

No, I'm the one who hung up the poster.

ASHER: It's neither of your fault.

Don't take the blame away from the guy who actually did it.

Still, I mean, being here can't be helpin' business.

I should stay away till things cool down, which means I have to find another place for my mom's graduation party.

OLIVIA: Well, how are you gonna find another spot?

The party's in a couple hours.

- [SIGHS]

- Wait.

It's tonight?

- Yeah.

- Well, my mom's boyfriend owns a restaurant.

You can use that.

That'll be dope, man.

Are you sure?

Yeah...

yeah, they'll be cool with it.

Absolutely not.

Tonight was supposed to be a nice dinner for the three of us, not an excuse for you to throw a party.

My friend needed help.

What was I supposed to do?

- GWEN: I don't know.

- JACOB: Hey, sweetheart, it's...

it's fine.

How often does your son's friend's mom graduate from college anyway?

Tell you what, Asher, I can shut the restaurant down for a few hours, let you have it all to yourself.

I can even whip up some appetizers.

But, Jacob, you don't have to do that.

What's a party without food?

Thank you.

I'll let him know.

GWEN: Ah, it sounds like you already did.

QUISE.B: ♪ Yeah, I'm all about the paperwork ♪

- ♪ Paperwork ♪

- ♪ Yeah, I'm all about the...

♪ [SINGING CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY]

Hey, I got your little message about not letting me use the field.

[DROPS PAPER]

Now this is my response.

I figured you'd only need two words.

Yeah, well, those are notes on the kids from the team.

Spent the whole summer gettin' to know them, and I suggest you do the same, since you seem so hell-bent on ruining their futures, based on some misunderstanding we had in high school.

Misunderstanding?

Billy, you ruined my life and don't even remember it.

Look, man...

My mother had just gotten diagnosed with terminal cancer, so that whole week was a blur.

I'm sorry I took all of my anger and hurt and pain out on a lot of people, who didn't deserve it.

Well, at least we can agree on something.

I'm saying I'm sorry, D'Angelo.

I really am.

What I did was wrong, but, please, don't... don't take it out on these kids.

They are not me from back then.

I'm...

I'm not me from back then.

You must really want that field, huh?

You don't get it.

It ain't even all about that.

We'll play out in the street if we need to, but colleges are gonna be calling you about those kids.

I just want 'em to have a fighting chance.

[PUSHES CHAIR]

OLIVIA: Damn nerve.

I wish we were here when it happened.

- And what would you have done?

- Yelled at him, hit him.

I don't know.

Why aren't you more upset?

I am, but you can't control what other people do, Liv.

I just...

I feel like I'm just sitting on the sidelines of a fight that I started, when I should be out there, fighting.

What, Gabby?

I didn't peg you guys as racists, but I guess I was wrong.

- Oh, we're...

we're racists?

- Cops hate Black people?

That's what you think, right?

Forget they have a right to protect themselves?

Hope your seconds of fame was worth it.

Did you even see the footage?

- They m*rder*d Tamika!

- All right, leave it.

Let's go.

Oh, and by the way, it's minutes of fame, you stupid bitch.

- [GASPS]

Oh, my God!

- SPENCER: Wait.

Stop!

Stop!

Walk away!

I won't be as nice as Liv!

Stop!

No!

No!

She can stay right here because I'm calling the cops!

To say what?

To say what?

That a wannabe prom queen threw her drink at you?

Why not?

She just assaulted me!

That bitch should be in jail!

Your face is all over the news for gettin' cops fired!

They ain't on our side right now!

What?

So, what, what?

We do nothing?

What, we just sit here and we just accept that this is the country that we live in?

It's always been this country, Liv!

They just ain't hidin' it no more.

And what we do is hold our heads high regardless because our worth don't come from them.

Coop tells me you don't think I know how to make t-shirts, even though she's wearin' one right now.

That's not exactly what I said.

Um, the shirts are great.

I just want to make sure we're all on the same page.

Okay, I'm handlin' Coop's merch.

If you ain't on that page, I suggest you get there.

Okay.

Um, I take it you have people doing concept art and design?

She got a design on her right now, don't she?

How about, uh, production: beanies, cozies, t-shirts, sweaters, stickers?

I'm assuming you have enough people to handle the supply and demand when Coop hits it big.

How about online sales?

Do you have a fulfillment team or account managers to handle the details?

It ain't that deep, baby girl.

See, while you were skimmin' merch for dummies, I was puttin' in the work.

Now I'm gonna get back to it.

Thank you for the cucumber water.

- Hey, bro, just hear her out.

- No, I heard enough.

She don't own you, and she don't own any of your ideas.

Coop signed a contract with my label, so I do have control over her branding.

You came to me for money; I'm just trying to make sure it's being well-spent.

Forget it.

I can make my own money.

COOP: Uh, so you just gonna bounce?

Preach!

C-Come on, bro.

The only reason your rap game is takin' off is because I got your ass in the studio.

I hustled people to come watch you live.

Now suddenly we takin' orders from her?

What happened to you wantin' to be independent, answer to no one, do your thing, nipsey-style?

When did you stop makin' your own damn decisions, Coop?

- GRACE: Order for Grace James?

- CARTER: Grace.

Hey.

Hey.

How's Spencer?

What he did last night took guts.

Don't.

You don't have to act like you're worried about Spencer.

Crenshaw football season is over.

You got what you wanted.

Now you can convert the school, bus all our kids out, or get in a new set.

Isn't that the idea?

Wow.

I thought you and I had moved past this.

I guess not.

Please, don't...

don't let me stop you from heading home and poppin' the champagne.

Right.

Don't want to let the ice melt.

You know, contrary to what you and Billy think, I don't have it out for those kids.

I'm trying to make the school better, and to do that, I need to boost academics and redirect resources to more than just football.

And I'm supposed to believe your history with Billy doesn't have anything to do with this?

After the fight with Billy, my parents decided that Crenshaw was no longer safe for me and sent me to boarding school.

I was separated from my family and the only neighborhood that I ever considered home.

Now, while I was gone, I...

I...

I lost my nana, I lost my cousin, and my parents separated.

Nothing was the same after that, and now I'm just supposed to let it all go because Billy's mom was sick when it happened?

Look, you know how it is to lose someone that you love.

You tellin' me you never did anything that you regret outta that pain?

I'm sorry for all that you lost back then.

I am, but you and Billy gotta heal and stop makin' these kids collateral damage for y'all's trauma.

I saw you on the news.

I'm sorry.

I know you told me to stay out of it.

I'm sorry.

That's not what I meant.

Is everything okay, Liv?

It's not important, and I don't want to make anything harder for you, so...

I got to get to Ms.

James's party.

Okay.

[DOOR OPENS]

_ This place looks expensive.

I don't want you to spend all your hard-earned money on me.

I'm cool with you spendin' it on me, though.

You are worth it.

You can have water.

- GRACE: Heh heh!

- ALL: Surprise!

ALOE BLACC: ♪ I can make it through this ♪

- Oh, thank you!

- ♪ You can throw the world in my face ♪ ♪ But the fear gives me life and I swear till I die ♪ ♪ I'm gonna do it my way ♪ ♪ Let me fly through the air, if I crash...♪

Did you really think we weren't gonna celebrate your graduation?

[SCOFFS]

BLACC: ♪ 'Cause the fear gives me life and I swear till I die ♪

♪ I'm gonna do it my way ♪

[PARTY MUSIC PLAYING]

[LAUGHTER AND OVERLAPPING CHATTER]

- BILLY: Thank you.

All right.

- GRACE: Ha ha ha!

Thanks.

Nice of Jacob to let you use his place.

You gonna talk to him?

We have nothing in common.

He's a chef.

What are we supposed to talk about?

Tell him you like the food.

I heard chefs love that.

Come on.

Time to be a big boy, and maybe you can actually introduce me this time.

Yeah?

Come on.

[CHATTER CONTINUES]

I appreciate you comin'.

I wouldn't miss celebratin' your moms.

I appreciate the invite.

JACOB: Asher, your mom tells me you're quite the football player.

- ASHER: I'm okay.

- GWEN: Come on.

You're better than okay.

Tell him about your school records.

- ASHER: They've all been broken, Mom.

- JACOB: Still, that's...

that's quite impressive.

I really wasn't all that much of an athlete.

I was more of a arts and crafts kinda guy.

- GWEN: Uh, hey, didn't you, uh, play tennis?

- I did.

Well, Asher used to be into that, too, for a while.

I didn't know you played tennis.

It's 'cause I quit when I was, like, .

'Scuse me.

I think something I ate is messing with my stomach.

- GWEN: I'm sorry.

- JACOB: No.

- GWEN: No, he's just being...

- VANESSA: A d*ck.

Sorry.

No.

That's...

right.

JACOB, WHISPERING: Fine.

That's fine.

FEMALE SINGER: ♪ This time...

♪ - BILLY: Hey, hey.

- GRACE: Hey.

You never cease to amaze me.

Ah, calm down.

I just finished school.

- I didn't save the world.

- BILLY: Well, not yet.

You've come a long way from the girl that used to tutor me at South Crenshaw High.

I haven't gone that far; I'm still at South Crenshaw High.

Ha ha!

You and me both, at least for now.

And you still gettin' in trouble with the principal.

- Oh, here we go.

- You and D'Angelo need to talk.

[SIGHS]

I've tried.

I'm all talked out.

Maybe you need to listen.

[SIGHS]

What have you done?

Oh...

hey, Principal Carter.

What a, uh, pleasant surprise.

- Oh, no, it isn't.

- No, it isn't, but it is a surprise.

CARTER: I just wanted to tell you in person that you were right.

The kids deserve a chance, so field is yours.

Why the change of heart?

I thought about what you said.

I read what you gave me and realized that I was being unfair, simple as that.

You know what?

I'm gonna take yes as an answer and step away.

It's good to see you.

You know what?

It was a pleasant surprise.

- Good luck this weekend.

- All right.

Thank you for stopping by.

I think you made his day.

Your text made mine, so...

it all worked out.

Yeah.

I should probably get home to Jasmyn, but thank you for the talk earlier.

Seems like you're saving me from myself a lot lately.

What can I say?

I'm...

I'm very smart.

I, uh... got the degree to prove it.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Well, you really came through for Spencer.

You know, you didn't have to, considering how...

complicated everything is between all of us.

Or is that just how desperately you didn't want to spend time with Jacob?

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

I guess it's a little bit of both.

How are things with Vanessa?

You just being polite or you really want to know?

I guess it's a little bit of both.

Look, if you're holding back because of me or JJ, don't.

Yeah, it'll be weird for a little while, but we'll be fine.

We just want you to be happy.

Honestly, I don't know what would make me happy.

You just need to be honest with yourself, Asher, and go after what you want.

[SIGHS]

Honesty sucks.

It definitely can, but...

it's the only way to move forward.

Congratulations.

Mmm!

You got some mad thinks, Ms. Grace.

[CHUCKLES]

Mad thinks?

I'm just sayin', your dome is on point.

I could use some of that to take down this G.E.D.

- Well, you know where to find me.

- Hmm.

Or do you?

Because you haven't been around much lately.

Dang.

You hittin' me with the Mom guilt?

That's cold.

No guilt.

No, I'm just startin' to worry.

Don't.

I'm in your life to stay.

You don't just break up with family.

Shouldn't that apply to Spencer, too?

Okay, maybe just a little mom guilt.

[PHONE VIBRATING]

One second, Ms. Grace.

COOP: Hello?

Hey, I've been trying to reach you all afternoon.

- Yeah, I know.

I've been busy.

- Look, Preach is too volatile to get into business with.

He can't be blowing up and storming out every time someone disagrees with him.

I don't blame him.

He made some dope-ass t-shirts, and all he got for hustlin' was you talkin' down to him.

I didn't talk down to him.

I was vetting him.

This is business; I'm not gonna let Preach or anyone else strong-arm me into doing things their way.

This is...

this is my label.

I'm gonna do things my way.

Okay, and this is my career, so don't forget that.

Look, man, I got...

I got to hit you back.

I'm at Ms. Grace's party.

What party?

Spencer threw it for her graduation.

I woulda told you about it, but I thought it'd be kinda weird since you two ain't been speakin' lately.

Well, you two haven't been talking much either, so...

Yeah, I know, but this is different, okay?

Ms. Grace is family, so...

I'll hit you later.

FEMALE SINGER: ♪ I like to feel the breeze...

♪ OLIVIA: Mmm!

You're making this on my next birthday.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

- [GRACE AND DILLON LAUGHING]

- SINGER: ♪ You are my sunshine ♪

I love how close you and Dillon are with your mom.

Sometimes I wonder if me and my mom will ever get back there.

She's just under a lotta pressure.

Y'all both fightin' for Tamika like it's your job, only it really is hers.

But you know, if you ever needed her, she'd fight ten times harder for you.

Hey, listen, I know today was rough, but thanks for pushin' through it.

I couldn't have done anything without you, including make this cake.

That cake was all you.

I didn't do anything,

- okay?

- [BOTH CHUCKLE]

I know sometimes there's just...

so much bad in the world that you forget to celebrate the good.

It turns out I like having Black joy as part of my activism toolbox.

Thanks for helping me see that.

- Hey, have you seen Vanessa?

- She left.

She even thanked Jacob on her way out.

It's nice someone did.

I thanked him.

I think I would have remembered that.

You know, I wasn't expecting you to be best friends, but Jacob threw you a party, and you went out of your way to be rude to him.

Is it so hard to just give him a chance?

Yeah, harder than you think, Mom.

Why?

Why?

I mean, all that should matter is that he makes me happy.

Do you have any idea how rare genuine happiness is, Asher?

I was hoping my son would want that for me.

That's all I want for you.

Enjoy your party.

[GLASS CLINKING]

DILLON: Yo, can I get everybody's attention?

Please gather around.

Everybody, thank you for coming out.

Me and Spencer would like to say something.

Spencer, you got this?

[LAUGHTER]

SPENCER: Hmm.

Okay.

You know, my mom spent her whole life sacrificin' for me and Dillon, tellin' us to be proud of who we are and where we came from, teaching us to block out distractions and focus on what makes us happy, givin' us a chance to...

to make something of ourselves.

And now that she finally takes her own advice, she don't want to make it a big deal, but it is a big deal, Mama.

You know, sometimes it feels like there's so much bad in the world, you forget to celebrate the good...

but you deserve to be celebrated because you are the best.

DILLON: Couldn't have said it better myself.

- To my mom!

- BILLY: All right.

- SPENCER: To Mom.

- COOP: Grace.

- OLIVIA: Whoo!

- BILLY: Yes.

[DILLON CHEERS]

_ Hey, Asher...

We need to talk.

Took the words out of my mouth.

Vanessa, I'm sorry about last night.

I was bein'...

A d*ck, and it wasn't just last night.

Yeah.

It's just, since the almost kiss, I've had a lot on my mind, decisions to make, and in trying not to be a d*ck, I kinda became a bigger one.

- You're overthinking everything.

- I know.

Look, the last hours reminded me that it's important to go after what genuinely makes you happy, and for me, that's...

Football.

Dude, a blind person could see that.

[SIGHS]

I'd be lying if I said I didn't have feelings for you, but right now...

You need to focus.

No distractions.

I'm the daughter of two football coaches.

I get it, so...

we just stay friends.

- You're not mad?

- Maybe a little hurt, but you're finally being honest with what you want.

You want football, you want that D scholarship, and for the first time, you want it for yourself, not your dad or your coach, just for you.

- That's huge.

- Makes me sound selfish.

Sometimes selfish is good, but in this case, it's gonna cost you all of this.

- [BOTH CHUCKLE]

- VANESSA: Now go.

Kick ass.

[HIP HOP MUSIC PLAYING]

MALE SINGER: ♪ Throwin' out to west side ♪

- ♪ What's that?

♪ - ♪ It's the best side...

♪ COOP: Yo...

I need you to do me a solid.

Sorry, Coop.

I'm all outta favors.

You should ask your boss.

Look, man, Layla was just lookin' out for her label, and I get that.

If her label isn't successful, it...

it takes down everything I worked for, too.

PREACH: So what you want?

I need somebody that's lookin' out for me, who understands where I come from, and no, I'm not talkin' about just doin' merch.

I'm talkin' 'bout the whole thing...

Like, a manager.

You down?

[DOORBELL RINGS]

Carrie.

Oh, my...

oh, my God.

When did you get released from the treatment center?

- Today.

Um...

- Wow.

I didn't really have anywhere else to go, and you said I can visit anytime, so... here I am.

Heh!

Is it cool if I crash for a little while?

Um...

whenever you're ready to make that step, just know you have a friend on the outside.

Yeah, yeah.

I could...

I could use a friend.

Come in.

Thanks.

You're a lifesaver.

BILLY: All right, fellas, this, uh, this'll probably be my last speech.

- SPENCER: Yeah!

- [TEAM CHEERS AND APPLAUDS]

That's very funny.

Um...

Huh.

Ahem.

Y'all are, uh, y'all are all family, so, uh...

so I want y'all to act like it today, okay?

I want to see a good fight.

Ain't no reason for y'all to hurt each other.

This isn't about winning or losing; This is about showing what you can do, and all of y'all are best when you're havin' fun, so...

let's have fun out there, boys.

BILLY: Yeah.

Okay, have fun.

I love y'all.

- JORDAN: Crap.

She's here.

Um, Dad.

- BILLY: Yeah?

JORDAN: 'Member how I said I got Montes's permission to play today?

I don't like where this is goin'.

- Well, you needed the team and...

- I'll deal with you later.

Coach, great day for a game, huh?

Look, uh, I think there might have been some misunderstanding here.

COACH MONTES: No, there was no misunderstanding.

Your son understood my decision, and he chose to ignore it.

You are so screwed.

COACH MONTES: You, uh, haven't watched the news or checked your phone, have you?

- I have not.

Why?

- Spencer's speech from your last game went viral.

It inspired teams across the state to take a knee.

They all forfeited their games?

FRAUSTO: So what does that mean?

That means we still got a chance.

We're...

That means we're still in it.

COACH MONTES: It's, uh, kind of a mess right now, but yes, South Crenshaw is still in the hunt.

Okay, so, uh, should we send everybody home or...

Oh, hold on.

- You have scouts comin' out, right?

- BILLY: Yes, ma'am.

COACH MONTES: Well, that's good for my boys, too, and yes, it is a great day for a game.

- Let's give 'em a show!

- All right, let's play, boys!

- SPENCER: Ha ha!

- [PLAYERS CHEERING]

[LINE RINGING]

- LAURA: Hey, honey.

- OLIVIA: Mom, I think there's a cop following me, but I didn't do anything wrong.

LAURA: Now, Liv, are you sure?

What if it's because I leaked that video?

I...

I don't know...

I don't know what to...

I don't know what to do.

- [SIREN BLARING]

- And he's pulling me over and...

LAURA: Okay, calm down, honey.

Pull over somewhere you aren't alone.

Mom, wha...

but what if...

It's okay.

Just stay on the phone.

Tell me what's happening right now.

Olivia!

Liv!

Talk to me.

[POLICE RADIO, INDISTINCT]

[SUV ENGINE REVS]

[EXHALES]

I...

Mom, I think it's okay.

He left.

I...

LAURA: Okay.

It's okay, honey.

Tell me where you are.

- I'm coming to get you right now.

- Okay.

LAURA: Just send me your pin.

[EXHALES SHAKILY]