05x06 - Can't Nobody Hold Me Down

[bunniefuu]

I've been thinking a lot
about my future lately,

and I've come to the conclusion
that it's time for me to focus

on new challenges, so,
effective immediately,

I've resigned my position
as head coach at GAU.

God, Garrett legit scooped me.

This is unbelievable.

Sometimes that happens, baby girl.

[PEOPLE MURMURING]

OK, well, I know that it happens, Dad,

but that doesn't make it right.

He deserves to pay and
not get off scot-free.

- BILLY: I know.
- Hey, hey, hey. What the hell is happening?

How is the press
conference over already?

- BILLY: Garrett just resigned.
- JORDAN: What?

- BILLY: Yeah.
- JORDAN: It's national signing day.

- SPENCER: Did he say why he's resigning?
- OLIVIA: Not a damn peep,

and now he just gets to
leave on his own terms.

OK, look, I'm gonna go
catch up with A.D. Barnes,

see what's really going down.
Everything is gonna be OK.

No, it won't, Dad,
because he injured players

and now he's driving the narrative.

OK, look, Garrett is
off the team, right,

which means he can't injure or
destroy any more players' lives.

- Now, isn't... isn't that the win?
- It is,

but we should table this
conversation for another time, OK?

J. and I gotta go find our teammates.

- BILLY: All right, y'all.
- SPENCER: I'll holla at you.

BILLY: I'm gonna go catch
up with Barnes. You good?

- So what am I supposed to do, just sit tight?
- Yes.

Just chill. I'm gonna
get intel, all right?

KENNY: Hey, I need to
know what's going on, man.

- This is not the time or place for that...
- The hell it ain't!

Today is national signing day,

the most important day of the year!

I gotta tell these kids something.

You made a commitment to them.

And I made a commitment to this school.

The hell is that supposed to mean?

Garrett.

[SIGHS]

You're a good man, Kenny,

one of the best I've been around.

Just know that everything I did,

I did for the greater
good of this program.

OLIVIA: So who tipped you?

I'm officially off the
team. Isn't that enough?

No. Nothing's that easy,

not for somebody like you.

It was either I leave or get
outed. I chose the former.

Everybody wins, even you.

Actually, the real win will come

when I drop this article and
the world finds out what you did.

Oh, yeah. That's still comin' out.

Word of advice:

Give yourself a pat on
the back and move on.

If you do release that article,

it won't just destroy
the football program,

it'll also screw up Jordan
and Spencer's careers,

and I know you don't
want that to happen.

BILLY: [CHUCKLES] All right. Thank you.

And thanks again for
meeting with me, man.

- Oh, of course, of course.
- I appreciate that.

And I apologize for all of the chaos.

It's just crazy.

- Oh, no... no problem. I'm good.
- Water?

Yes, please. Um, I
mean, even to this day,

my pops will not shut up

about South Crenshaw's
finest, the Greg Barnes.

- Aw, man, come on.
- And nobody'll ever forget

the running back that
took the team to state

after that near-decade drought.

Yeah, but then you come
along, right, a few years later

- and you break all my records.
- [BOTH LAUGH]

- BILLY: Ah!
- BARNES: So, uh, what can I do for you, Billy?

I'm sorry. With everything that's going
on here, I need to make this quick.

Honestly, I just wanted to thank
you for taking such good care

- of my boys this season.
- BARNES: Oh, yeah, mm-hmm.

But then the Garrett news broke,
so if you don't mind me asking,

- how did all this go down?
- BARNES: Yeah, well,

friend of mine at the NCAA had heard

some rumblings about Garrett, so

I took it upon myself

to get out in front of all
this drama by self-penalizing.

- BILLY: Smart.
- And as far as Garrett is concerned,

we gave him a generous package,

plus he's gonna take a
year off of coaching to, uh,

spend some more time with his family.

OK. That's, uh, I
guess that's reasonable.

Look, I just wanted to make sure
my boys are... are taken care of.

Oh, oh, we are gonna make sure of that.

[CHUCKLES] And look, you
need to be proud of yourself.

Yeah, way you coached those boys? Whew!

Spencer and Jordan, they
are pillars of this program.

- They got very bright futures.
- Ah, thank you.

I just... I played a small part.

- They do all the work...
- BARNES: And speaking of playing a part,

I understand your daughter is
pursuing a story on Garrett.

- Yes, she is.
- [CHUCKLES]

Look at you. Breaking my
records, now you got not one,

- but two smart kids.
- [BOTH LAUGH]

I love it, I love it.

Well, now that Garrett's
resigned and the, uh,

NCAA's involved, I'm assuming
all that stuff is going away.

So, listen, hey, it was, uh,
good seeing you today, Billy.

- OK, no, absolutely, uh-huh.
- All right, you ever need anything,

let me know, sh**t me a
text, whatever. I got you.

- Thank you. All right, man.
- Anytime.

- Good seeing you.
- BILLY: Yes, sir.

SPENCER: Coach...

We figured you ain't thought about
breakfast. How you holdin' up?

Shouldn't I be asking y'all that?

We b*at you to it.

Appreciate it.

Why don't y'all look
surprised about today?

- It's complicated.
- Well, uncomplicate it for me

because right now, I
don't know if I have a job.

- JORDAN: What?
- Of course you do, Coach.

KENNY: I don't know,
man. Nobody's talking.

There's gotta be a reason
I'm still in the dark.

So what's up?

Hey, hey,

this is my job I'm talking about.

One of y'all start talkin'.

- Morning, Coach.
- Adams! My man! Uh, don't mind the mess.

I, uh, I pulled an all-nighter.

- ASHER: Angry Hippo?
- MONTES: Mmm!

Chocolate pineapple, two flavors
I normally wouldn't consider

going good together, but, wow,

this energy drink will
carbonate your soul. Want one?

- Uh...
- Come on. You know you want one.

No, no, no. That'll be a hard... pass.

OK. Thank you.

- Why the all-nighter?
- Because it's flipping season, hermano.

It's time to go after some recruits.

We already have commitments
signed and ready to go.

Yeah, the max we could sign is .

That gives us more slots to fill,

and I've got a few in mind.

- Jordan Baker and Spencer James?
- Yep.

Tell me you aren't thinking
what I think you are.

Garrett resigning means for an
uncertain football program for GAU.

Translation... Anyone can be
flipped, recruit or active player,

and you've got an advantage,
living with the two stars.

Look, Coach, I... I don't
want to pressure them.

I'm sure their heads are
still spinning right now.

If they want to land at Coastal,
I'll be the first to sign them,

but they gotta make the first move.

Fair enough.

These other guys,
though, I'm... I'm game.

Good. Start with Marco Galvez,

-star tailback and talent in spades.

- OK.
- Go make some dreams come true, Adams.

- Nothing short of that. Copy?
- Yeah.

All right.

Wait. Isaiah?

He's in my position group.

Well, he fit Garrett's
janky-ass profile:

A walk-on, no scholarship,
desperate for money.

We were planning on telling
you after signing day,

but today just messed all that up.

Yeah, but we here now
and we want to help,

and that starts with
convincing our recruits

to stay with us and sign
their letters of intent,

including that big fish, Marco Galvez.

Right. You might want to
talk to Jesus about that one.

Ain't no way those guys
are committing to us,

especially Marco.

Our program is too unstable.

- JORDAN: So we sell you to them.
- KENNY: Me?

Yeah.

You, the players' coach who's the
true heart of this program? You.

[SCOFFS] Oh, man.

[SIGHS]

If I decide to accept this offer,

and that's a big if,

- I'm only giving you players each.
- OK,

as long as Marco Galvez is one of my .

- Naw, naw, he's mine.
- Coach, come on. I can...

Serious, Spence?

I'm risking a lot by
having you guys help me out.

JORDAN: But we are helping
you? Kenny: [CHUCKLES]

Yeah, J., you're helping me.

- [CHUCKLES]
- But listen,

y'all got to stay
tapped in with me / .

- If anything goes down, I need to know, right?
- SPENCER: Bet.

- JORDAN: Yes, sir.
- What do we do if people ask about Garrett?

You tell 'em GAU is
focused on the future.

Garrett... is in the past.

[GRUNTS]

And here I thought
girlfriends didn't get ghosted.

[CHUCKLES] More like I
didn't want to wake you

- from your late-morning slumber, milady.
- Mm-hmm.

It's not my fault you had me up

bingeing old episodes
of "Bones." [SIGHS]

How are you even alive right now?

[SIGHS] Guess waking up
to your beauty inspires me.

It's flipping season, isn't it?

- Wait. How do you know about flipping season?
- [GIGGLES]

Your boss just tweeted,

so I'm taking this might apply to you.

- Oh, my. [SCOFFS]
- Mm-hmm.

Dude really needs to
lay off that Angry Hippo,

but, yeah, he's... he's got me
chasing down some new recruits.

That's exciting, babe.

You should feel honored he's trusting
you with something so important.

Yeah, it's... it's pretty cool.

I just feel a lot of
pressure to deliver, you know?

You will. I'm sure of it.

Not gonna lie. I was
hoping we could check out

this pop-up ghost kitchen on Melrose.

You know, with the
Brazilian plant-based chef?

- Ha ha.
- [GIGGLES]

TikTok guy with the abs.

- Mm-hmm.
- You only like him because

he makes lettuce wraps shirtless.

They also happen to be very yummy.

- The lettuce wraps, right?
- [GIGGLES]

It doesn't matter anyway.

The pop-up is one day only.

Damn. I'm... I'm sorry, babe.

I know we haven't had a
lot of time together lately.

This off-season has been
a little unpredictable.

Well, maybe I can come along?

I'd love to see my man in
rare flipping-season form.

[CHUCKLES]

- How could I turn down that offer?
- Mm-hmm. [CHUCKLES]

I mean, my inspirational
beauty helps, right?

Oh, yeah, yeah.

- Well, come on. It's flipping season.
- [JAYMEE GIGGLES]

Come on, let's go!

[SIGHS]

So, uh...

Somebody... really no
reason to say who...

Has already convinced
his recruits to sign

their letter of intent to stay at GAU.

[INHALES THROUGH TEETH]
How's it looking for you?

Seriously? I can't get
a hold of any of mine.

Really? I mean, that's
probably just because

they want to talk to GAU's star QB.

- Just has a different cachet to it.
- [SPENCER SCOFFS]

- No offense.
- Yeah, well, the name

Spencer James is cachet enough.

It don't even need "star
wide receiver" next to it.

Whatever helps you sleep
better at night, bro.

Are you sure you don't want me to
take a few of those off your plate?

- I can...
- SPENCER: Hey! Aah!

I got this, OK?

- Need some damn privacy.
- Privacy.

Back up. Back up.

Privacy. Uh-huh.

[SIGHS] OK.

[FOOTSTEPS DESCEND]

Hey, I'd leave that to JJ if I were you.

Eh, it's no big deal.

I agree if it were a
one-time thing, but...

He's had people over here late
every night this past week.

All he cares about is partying.

Dude, it's JJ, right?

I mean, are we even that surprised?

I think he's just trying
to freshman the hell

out of his freshman year, right?

Yeah, but, I mean, we're freshmen, too,

somehow beyond capable of staying on top

of our commitments to
school and football.

Hey, how are you and Spencer
doing, all things considered?

Well, things are a little...

insane right now, but we're... we're OK.

If I were you, I'd find a
way to blow off some steam.

You know, there's plenty of
girls out there that'd be happy

- to help the star QB.
- [JORDAN CHUCKLES]

"Star QB"? Could you actually say that

a little bit louder for
Spence to hear outside?

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

- JORDAN: Hey, 'mornin'.
- JAYMEE: Good morning.

But seriously,

there's nothing better than having
a supportive woman by your side.

- [JORDAN CHUCKLES]
- ASHER: Cheers.

Cheers. Enjoy the day.

PATIENCE: ♪ Ice, ice ♪ [ECHOING]

♪ Ice, ice ♪ [ECHOING]

OK, this is my best moment.
This is my favorite part.

This is my favorite. Ah!

- PATIENCE ON TRACK: ♪ Fire and ice ♪
- PATIENCE: Fire and ice.

- ♪ I can play on either side ♪
- Play on either side.

[SINGING CONTINUES
INDISTINCTLY, ALL LAUGH]

PATIENCE: Pick it up, all right?

- [MUSIC STOPS]
- LAYLA: Ha ha ha! OK. I'm just...

we struck gold with this song.

Like, this is your best one
yet, and I rarely pick favorites.

PATIENCE: Girl, same 'cause, you know,

it's a little different
than what I usually do,

but, high-key, I feel like
the ladies and the gays

and, sure, even the uncles
and aunties about to rock this.

So I have something to admit.

I was listening on the
treadmill the other day,

and I almost fell off,
trying to twerk and sprint.

- PATIENCE: Ho ho ho!
- Twerk and sprint? I'm sorry.

- What does that look like?
- Yeah, I'mma need some pics.

- GIA: No 'cause it's never happening again.
- PATIENCE: Oh, my God.

Y'all, like, I cannot believe
I'm about to sh**t a music video

with a full-blown crew
and a director, and

y'all really think I can do this?

Yes. Patience, this is your moment

for all the greatness in store, OK?

I'm gonna need you to
shake off the doubt,

let's play the chorus one
more time, and who knows?

Maybe Gia will grace us with
a little twerk and sprint.

- PATIENCE: Oh.
- Uh, yeah, how 'bout we, like, save that for set?

- PATIENCE: OK, let's do it.
- LAYLA: Yeah.

- Let's do it on set. Yeah.
- GIA: OK,

speaking of set, we
have a call time to make,

- so should we get outta here?
- _

- PATIENCE: Yep.
- GIA: Yeah?

Um, yes. I actually
need to run an errand,

so I'll meet you guys there, but,
Patience, you're gonna be amazing.

- LAYLA: OK, I'll see you guys later.
- GIA: See ya.

- Are you ready?
- PATIENCE: Yes, I'm ready.

- [GIA SQUEALS]
- PATIENCE: Let's go. Yes!

[BREATHLESSLY] Hey, um,
when I texted you, saying,

"I need you," it wasn't
for this. I just...

- I wanted your company.
- LAYLA: Right.

But then, you walked in looking all...

You and, well, I couldn't resist.

Well, trust me, no complaints here.

[WHISPERS] OK.

You sure you're OK? I mean,
it was a tough morning.

How's things, uh,
going with the recruits?

Yeah, no, I mean, we're just, you know,

- focusing on securing our commitments.
- LAYLA: Mm-hmm.

Right now, we have about
out of signed, so...

OK. That's awesome. Um, I'm sending you

good vibes for locking down the rest.

I gotta go to Patience's video sh**t.

JORDAN: Ooh, uh, could I go? I mean,

my day's suddenly
become wide-open, so...

You know, I wish. It's just,

honestly, video sh**t
are overrated. It's, like,

- the same song on loop all day...
- JORDAN: Yeah?

A room full of really
hot back-up dancers

with, like, tights on
and very little else,

so it's not really your thing.

- Right.
- Yeah. [GIGGLES]

Um, but you and... you
and JJ should hang out.

Well, JJ's days are for sleeping.

- Hmm.
- Dude goes hard every night.

I mean, but I get it. He's
just livin' his best life.

Well, or it's a cry for attention.

Look, no offense to JJ, but
you and Asher and Spencer

are a little more focused
when it comes to your goals.

Means you've not been around as much

and, I don't know, maybe JJ misses that,

and the excessive partying is,
like, his way of showing it.

Huh.

OK. That's cool.

Hmm. OK. [GIGGLING]

Jordan, I really have
to go, like, right now.

- OK, you have to go.
- Yes, I do. I have to go.

To that snooze fest
you call a video sh**t?

- Come on.
- LAYLA: Jordan.

Mm-hmm.

No! Ha ha!

- Please?
- OK. [CHUCKLES]

Hey.

Is Jordan here? I was hoping
the of us could talk.

Uh, no, he took off. I
don't know where, though.

[SIGHS] Well, that explains why

he's not answering my texts or calls.

Oh, am I interrupting something?

[SIGHS] Garrett's
resignation got us scrambling.

Just trying to set some meetings
with our recruits online.

Is Marco Galvez one of your ?

No, but he's the most important.

How'd you know about him?

Marco reopening his recruitment
is the second-biggest story today.

I'm sorry, Liv.

I know it can't be easy having to
drop your whole article for good.

No, I'm still releasing it.

- But Garrett stepped down.
- So?

Since when did Garrett stepping
down become the consolation prize?

The report that says
he's taking the year off

to spend time with his
family is total B.S.

Because, according to my sources,

he's interviewing for a job at Bryson U.

That means he's gonna be in a position

to injure college players again.

Dropping this article is the only way

- to prevent that from happening.
- SPENCER: And what about me and Jordan,

and all the attention this is
gonna bring when your name shows up?

Liv, our team is shaky as is,

and now everybody is gonna
think me and J. are snitches.

Spencer, I'm sorry, but we
knew this day was coming.

- That's all you got to say?
- What else is there to say?

This is bigger than me,

this is bigger than you.

- This is bigger than all of us.
- You're right. It is.

And stopping Garrett from being able

to work with college
kids again is important,

but my point is do you,

Olivia Baker, really need to
be the one to release this?

PATIENCE: Ooh... ooh.

Whoa. Um... did Layla,

like, sign off on this
creative direction?

'Cause this is, like, a hard left turn.

[CHUCKLES] All I did was
take your beautiful lyrics

and morph them into something
your fans will be obsessed with.

[FLAMES WHOOSH]

- PATIENCE: Whoa. Whoa.
- GIA: Ooh. Ha ha!

Whoa, whoa. I'm not... I...
I'm not about to wear...

wear that, right? Like...

Oh, uh, Lyric, one of my
absolute favorite stylists,

designed this on Canva, and trust me.

We've hired the very best to ensure

it's ex*cuted to absolute perfection.

Um...

OK. Yeah, if you're,
like, sure about this.

Of course I'm sure.

You ready or what? Yeah. Yep.

Oh, where's Spence?

- He is outside, arguing with Liv.
- Oh.

Isn't the whole point of being exes

that you don't have to argue anymore?

That part.

Hey, you want half this hoagie?

Bro, great minds. I was
gonna make the same thing.

You know, hoagies are
the perfect spackle

for your stomach after
a night of par-taying?

- Yeah, OK.
- [CHUCKLES]

- Uh, any plans for tonight?
- Ah, nothin' too crazy.

Should be super-chill.

OK, all right. Well, look, man,
after the day that I've had,

super-chill sounds great,

so whatever you're thinking,

- I'm down.
- JJ: [CHUCKLES] Yeah?

- [DOOR OPENS]
- Yeah.

Perfect timing.

- MAN: What up?
- MAN : What up, JJ?

- JJ: Ooh.
- JORDAN: OK, um,

OK, what... what's all this?

The pledges and I are
throwing the actives

a party for our "big
bro, little bro" night.

It's called "The Risky
Wager Whiskey Rager."

- What happened to super-chill?
- It's turn-down Tuesday,

chillest day of the week.

Oh, [CHUCKLES] We got a
metal bull outside, huh?

[CHUCKLES] Can you help me bring it in?

- [SIGHS] Sure.
- [CHUCKLES]

[CELLPHONE VIBRATING]

_

Ah, Big Rick. What's happenin'?

I'm, uh... [CHUCKLES] I'm
hearing rumors. So it's true?

Oh, yes. This is true.

My, uh, my daughter is
releasing the article.

Thought we had an understanding, Billy.

[CHUCKLING] An under...
that's not how I remember it.

Look, Billy, I, uh...

I'm trying to save the program here

and I'm trying to save
your boys' futures.

I understand that and...
And I am very appreciative.

You already know what's at stake here.

It's not about our
pasts at South Crenshaw.

This is for the culture, bruh.

So now, as... heh! As
one black man to the next,

could really use a lifeline here.

- Look, I'll see what I can do.
- OK.

- Thanks.
- Of course. All right, man.

Hey, baby girl.

Um, so, look,

are you sure this article
thing is the right move?

You sound like Spencer.
Yes, a thousand percent.

Sorry. I just want to make
sure you're prepared for any

- possible fallout or...
- Garrett is going

to another top D school, Dad.

This is exactly why the
article needs to come out.

If we don't blast him
to the general public,

he's gonna keep putting
players' careers at risk.

All right.

You know I got your back.

But there's something else.

What's going on?

About the fallout...

Right.

How bad could it actually get?

- Oh, at GAU?
- Mm-hmm.

Heavy fines, loss of scholarships,

banned from all bowl
games for about two years.

[SIGHS]

And what about Spencer and Jordan?

They will have two options.

They can either transfer
or they can wait it out.

It's kinda risky if they leave, but,

you know, they're freshmen
playing at a D level, so...

chances are they'll be OK.

[SIGHS] Hmm.

SPENCER: And you're
interested in business, right?

Well, our b-school is one
of the top in the country.

That gives you exposure
to some dope faculty

who all come from
Fortune- companies, bro.

[DISTANT CHATTER AND LAUGHTER]

JJ: You gotta do , baby.

You gotta do . Ha ha ha ha!

If the social scene's gonna be as
lit as what's poppin' off behind you,

consider me committed.

Well, hell, let's go ahead
and make this official, then.

Welcome to GAU, Mosi.

Like everybody else, I'm
sure you got questions

- about Garrett and why he left.
- MAN: Yeah, I mean,

coaches come and go, so I
ain't even trippin' on Garrett,

but I do want to know what's
up with the homie Marco Galvez.

Yeah, we still workin' on that.

Look, bruh, if Marco ain't on the team,

I ain't on the team.

SPENCER: Look, I'mma be real with you.

I could see you doing big
things in our offense, bruh.

Coach Kenny and our O.C.
would use you the same way

the Chiefs use Travis Kelce, you know?

OK, but why does it sound like
Marco Galvez might be leaving?

- Oh, I... I don't know if that's true.
- Better check his I.G.

TNEEK: ♪ Watch me go like this ♪

♪ Like this ♪

♪ Watch me go like this ♪

All right, I got two of
my recruits locked in.

The other two ain't budgin'
until we get a commitment

from Marco Galvez. You heard from him?

- I left him a few voicemails.
- Well, you try texting him?

Man, he left me on "read" twice.

- Yo, you seen his latest posts?
- No.

Check it.

"Potential changes ahead"?

Yeah.

Let me take a cr*ck at him, Coach.

- Aw, we talked about that.
- Hear me out, hear me out.

I was Marco Galvez a year ago.

When Coach Dante from
Toledo state ghosted me,

I had my issues trusting
another coach, until I met you.

If anybody can get
through to him, it's me.

[SIGHS] All right. Do your thing, man.

[CELLPHONE VIBRATING]

ASHER: Marco Galvez?

You're lookin' at him.

Student coach Asher Adams
from Coastal California.

- This is my girl, Jaymee.
- JAYMEE: Nice to meet you.

First coach to bring a
girlfriend. It's a vibe already.

[CHUCKLES] All right.
You ready to do this?

- MARCO: Let's get it.
- ASHER: Come on, man.

So, Marco, where you from?

- MARCO: Uh, I'm actually from South L.A.
- ASHER: Oh, wow.

MARCO: So y'all know where to
get some good pupusas around here?

I'm Salvadoran, so I need my fix.

Ha ha! I'm messin' with
y'all, man. I'm actually vegan.

Oh, well, McClelland's off PCH is good.

The cauliflower wings are amazing.

What's that sauce like, though?

Oh, the ranch aioli is perfection.

- MARCO: Mmm, OK, OK.
- JAYMEE: Mm-hmm.

ASHER: Jaymee's gotten me
on a plant-based kick lately.

- MARCO: Mmm.
- ASHER: I'm still dabbling.

I'm not % committed.

But he is % committed to you.

Ooh, I see what you did there, Jaymee.

Smooth. [CHUCKLES] Hey,
you got a real one, bro.

- ASHER: Yeah, why do you think I brought her?
- MARCO: Truth.

ASHER: But, seriously,

we would love to have you at Coastal.

We got a great, young core of players,

endless opportunities for
N.I.L., and most importantly,

a head coach who will be here
for the long haul, unlike GAU.

Now, what's your football dream, Marco?

You heard of José Cortez?

No, I haven't.

The first Salvadoran
to ever play in the NFL?

Man, he was a big inspiration
to me and my family.

He got a chance to live out his dream.

Hell, he was the dream
and he did it his own way.

Dude was different.

The more unique, the more
something stands out to you.

MARCO: Facts.

ASHER: I feel you, bro.

[CELLPHONE RINGING]

Oh, hold it.

Do you mind if I take that?
That's... that's my dude.

Uh, yeah. Yeah, go ahead.

[CHUCKLES]

What it do, Spence?

Ash? Oh, hell no.

- You the one trying to swoop Marco?
- "Trying"?

No, no, no. This is happening.

Here, take a look, bro.

In case you were wondering,
this meet is definitely

trending in the right
direction, right, Marco?

Hey, y'all got my interest, fa sho.

- OK, until he meet with me.
- If he meets with you.

If. [CHUCKLES]

- Later, bro.
- Wait. You...

It's like that.

How do you know Spencer James?

- ASHER: Uh...
- JAYMEE: It's a little thing called the vortex,

and fortunately for you, you'll
understand what that means

no matter what school you choose.

- [JAYMEE GIGGLES]
- MARCO: Should I be worried?

You'll learn to lean into it.

- ASHER: Yeah.
- JAYMEE: Yeah. Heh heh!

- ASHER: Ready to check out our training facilities?
- MARCO: Oh, absolutely.

All right, let's do it, man.

[OVERLAPPING CHATTER]

GIA: OK, uh, director's on his way.

Why don't we arm up with the dancers?

Someone run the track.

[ BEEPS]

["FIRE AND ICE" BEGINS PLAYING]

- PATIENCE: Oh, oh, um, sorry, sorry.
- [MUSIC STOPS]

It's OK. It's just me. Uh,
let's take it back to .

- Yeah?
- PATIENCE: OK.

[ BEEPS]

["FIRE AND ICE" BEGINS PLAYING]

PATIENCE ON TRACK:
♪ Ice, ice ♪ [ECHOING]

♪ Ice, ice ♪

♪ Ice, ice ♪

♪ Feel that fire and ice, fire and ice ♪

♪ I can play on either
side, play on either side ♪

♪ Hope you're talkin' to me
nice, nice, not too nice ♪

♪ I'm about to raise
the price, price, price ♪

♪ I can do anything,
everything, all that ♪

- ♪ Say, I ain't the baddest, but we know that's all... ♪
- [MUSIC STOPS]

PATIENCE: Uh, sorry, um, yeah, yeah, um,

yeah, this isn't working, so, um,

can we just, like, cancel everything?

- 'Cause I can't.
- LAYLA: Hey, what's going on?

Hey, I did not approve any of this, OK?

Gia, you better start talking.

What possessed you to
take such a hard turn

- from what we originally discussed?
- [GIA SCOFFS]

You hired me to take
big, creative swings.

This was my first go
at that directive. I...

By "big, creative
swings," I meant, like,

bolstering a social-media strategy, OK?

How did we go from a normani
comp to vikings in bikinis?

I promise I will
explain everything later.

I think I should go
apologize to Patience.

No, it's fine. I'll do it.

I upset her. It should come from me.

[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING]

[MALE SINGER, INDISTINCT]

[PARTYGOERS CHEERING]

Hey. Uh, when you said "Whiskey Rager,"

I didn't think that you meant...

- middle America.
- JJ: Ha ha!

Dude, it's totally glistening mountains

of Montana.

OK. So what's the deal
with the name, then?

Thought you'd never ask.

Anyone who dares

enter the front door must make

a risky wager by rolling a die

dictating the number
of sh*ts to be taken.

The Whiskey Rager takes off from there.

So I take it we're gonna need a
lot more bleach for the bathroom.

- JJ: Ha ha ha!
- MAN: It's your turn, JJ.

Everyone plays, host
of the party or not.

- Yeah?
- JORDAN: No, that's OK.

Right over here? OK, OK, OK.

OK, whoa. Please tell me

you're not about to
take sh*ts right now.

Of course not. Ha!

- I hate even numbers.
- [BOTH LAUGH]

JJ: Give me the thing.

Ah!

- MAN: Whoo-hoo-hoo!
- JORDAN: ?

- JJ: I will drink to that.
- MAN: Here.

- JJ: Let's go.
- MAN: You bet.

JJ: Ho ho ho! You?

Ha ha ha ha!

Wow. Amazing work, Olivia.

In my opinion, it's ready to go to
print with this morning's updates.

We should strike while the iron's hot,

and we'll be popping a bottle
of the finest sparkling cider,

on me, when we do.

Why don't you seem more enthused?

Please tell me you aren't
trying to shelve another article.

Not at all. I'm...

I'm just, um...

Never mind.

I'm good.

Spill it, and know this is a safe space.

I just wish that I
could drop this article

without putting a target

on the backs of people
that I care about.

I am assuming you are talking
about your brother and Spencer?

I want to be the type of journalist

who can make strides without
wreaking havoc as I go.

I had a similar crisis of
identity when I was your age,

covering for the White House.

- You covered the White House?
- Obama administration.

- No way!
- But, as historic as it was,

the job still posed
some unique challenges.

- Like?
- Well, there was a fine line

that had to be walked.

On one side, I had to get to
know the folks on Capitol Hill,

both inside and outside the office,

and sometimes that
outside relationship got...

a bit more complicated than intended,

so when it came time
to report hard truths,

it felt wrong when they impacted people

that I actually started
to like as people.

A mentor helped me find
creative ways to do so

while still being able
to protect loved ones.

As long as you're ready to go to print,

we can explore those options.

So... what's it gonna be?

Didn't a few of your
cousins graduate from GAU?

- Yep. So did mi tia y mi tio, too.
- Mm-hmm.

So family is important to you.

Yes, sir, but so is energy,

good vibes, and being different.

Coastal's got plenty of
that, especially Coach Asher.

I mean, they're a young
team that's loaded, hungry,

- and ready to take the next step.
- SPENCER: So are we.

Well, they also... have a head coach.

Yeah, well, we workin' on that,

but I understand your concern.

I'd be playin' it the
same way if I was you.

Hell, I was you last year.

Toledo State. Yeah, I read about that.

Look, man, after Coach
Dante, the last thing

I expected was to find a coach
who'd become a better mentor,

but I did...

Coach Kenny.

Garrett was just the face of the
program. Coach Kenny is the heart.

He's the engine that
keeps us going, man.

And as a bonus, you get me and
Jordan for the next few years.

[BOTH LAUGH]

Man, my head is scramblin'.

I feel you, and look, I
know you're getting hit up

by hella schools right now,

so you ain't gotta decide
nothin' tonight or tomorrow,

and if you do choose Coastal,
I'll still rock with you...

[SPEAKS SPANISH]

Ha ha ha ha! OK, OK.

I see you.

Look, man, at the end of the day,

you gotta choose what's
right for you and your family.

Pick the place with the right energy
that's gonna allow you to be you,

unapologetically.

Choose the school

that's gonna allow you to
live out your dreams, bro,

whatever that looks like.

[CHUCKLES] Come on. More to see.

Look, um, I know y'all
want me to get back to it,

but, like, this... this ain't me.

I can't speak for Layla, but I am
here to tell you that you're right.

I do just have one more thing
before you call it quits.

All of this was merely
you playing a character.

The whole point was for you to have fun

and also to feel a sense of protection

because the whole idea
is to use this character

to distance Patience the
person from all the crazy fans.

OK, yeah, kinda like, um,

like Lady Gaga and Doja Cat

leave their real identities
as, like, as an enigma, kind of?

Right. I just...

I thought this would be a great
way for you to claim your power,

devoid of fear.

Um...

I mean, I'm down to try, just...

Can we do a little shorter stilettos?

LAYLA: I'm sure that can be arranged,

but as long as you're
absolutely sure, OK?

And I'm asking as both
your friend and producer.

No, I'm sure, um,

just on one condition.

Uh, I'mma need Gia to, um,

show me how to do
the... the sprint twerk.

Ha!

[ALL LAUGH]

Why the long face?

Uh...

Well, I don't... I don't
know if you heard, but

Marco is signing his
letter of intent with GAU.

- Mm-hmm.
- According to his latest post,

he felt GAU gave him the best
chance of living his dream.

[SIGHS] I'm sorry, Coach.

I really thought we had a chance.

Was she with you?

- Uh, yeah, but...
- Young lady, a word?

Would you be so kind as to giving me

a run-through as to what happened today?

Did he really have a chance?

He did.

Ash was amazing.

He's funny, charming, and relatable,

and his passion for the game, his job,

and this school really stood out to me.

Did it, now?

It did.

I would have signed to play for Coastal.

Over Spencer James?

Totally, and for the record,

the day wasn't a complete loss.

Ash managed to flip
players off the GAU roster.

You should tell him, babe.

- I'll be in the car.
- ASHER: OK.

[WHISTLES] players off the GAU roster?

Way to bury the lead, Adams.

- I really wanted Marco, too.
- Yeah, well,

you can't win 'em all. Great work.

Thanks, Coach.

Oh, and Adams, Jaymee, um,

she's a keeper.

Reminds me of my wife.

- Don't mess it up.
- Yes, sir.

MALE SINGER: ♪ We bringin'
them good vibes on ♪

JJ: Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo.

OK, OK. Ha ha!

♪ Them good vibes on ♪

Ha ha ha! OK!

- JORDAN: Hey, bud, hey.
- JJ: Yo.

Think maybe it's time
to switch it up to water?

[SLURRING] Whoo! The
turnup just started.

- JORDAN: Yeah?
- JJ: Mmm.

Pretty sure that was hours ago

- when the sun was still out.
- JJ: Hey, I swear, hmm?

I'm not even that drunk.

OK? Heh heh!

Think I can get a sh*t?

- Sure.
- Thank you so much.

JJ: Oh. Hey, bro, bro,

I said I'm... I said I'm good.

You are not good, OK?

You are bombed out of your mind, JJ.

Bottomless sh*ts of whiskey?

Yo, you... you really need to chill, J.

Hey, hey, hey. Can somebody
get this man a sh*t?

No, no, no. No more sh*ts, OK?

No more sh*ts, no more music,

no more dancing, no more bull, OK?

- The party is officially over.
- JJ: Look, don't listen to him...

- Listen to me. Get out of my house!
- OK, whoa!

Since when did you
become such a buzzkill?

Oh, let me think. That's
right. Since high school.

- Sober up, JJ.
- Yeah, 'cause back then,

you were on a tight leash with Simone,

and now an invisible one with Layla.

- What are you talkin' about?
- Bro, Layla's track record, you know,

bouncin' between the vortex?

I mean, first, it was Asher,

and then Spence, now you.

[CHUCKLES] By simple math,

that means I'm next
in line, huh? Ha ha ha!

Uhh!

[JJ AND JORDAN GRUNTING]

Get off of him! Hey!

- JJ: Come on! Come here!
- MAN: Hey, hey, hey.

- ASHER: Oh, I... I'm sorry about Montes. [CHUCKLES]
- [JAYMEE GIGGLES]

- I told you dude was a complete mystery.
- Yeah.

I'm glad we finally got to meet.

He clearly loves you.

- ASHER: Yeah?
- [BOTH CHUCKLE]

He's got a funky way of showing it,

- like Willy Wonka in a polo.
- [BOTH CHUCKLE]

[SIGHS]

Today was really great, Ash.

It was like I got to see
a glimpse into our future...

- And I loved every moment of it.
- Same.

Honestly...

I was nervous that you'd
resent me in years

for plans constantly changing.

Oh, trust me, if anyone can
relate to pivots and changes,

it's the woman with a
delicate medical condition.

One sec.

This is for you.

[CHUCKLES] I feel bad we missed

the in-person ghost kitchen experience,

so I had this delivered.

Thank you. [GIGGLES]

Thank you.

You know what would be the most
perfect ending to this night?

Scrolling through thirst-trap photos

of your favorite chef's -pack?

[GIGGLES] Wrong.

Bingeing the next season of "Bones."

Oh. [CHUCKLES]

- Yeah, that does sound pretty perfect.
- JAYMEE: Mm-hmm.

- [JAYMEE CHUCKLES]
- ASHER: Let's go.

OK. [CHUCKLES]

- ASHER: After you.
- JAYMEE: Thank you.

- You know, I'm actually really excited about this season.
- Me, too.

Ha ha ha!

[SIGHS]

What happened to you?

[SIGHS] Ask JJ.

I'll be upstairs, babe.

Yeah, I... I'll be there in a sec.

[FOOTSTEPS RETREAT]

Did you and JJ get into a fight?

Something like that.

[SIGHS] Look, you were right, Ash.

His problem is nowhere in the
ballpark of being a freshman.

I thought that the partying was a
cry for help, but I... I was wrong.

He is clearly spiraling, OK?

And those douchey frat guys that
he hangs out with aren't helping.

We need to figure something out.

JJ: Already ahead of ya.

I'm leavin'.

ASHER: What?

Dude, you're still wasted.

Now, why don't you take
the night, sleep it off,

we'll talk in the morning?

JJ: Actually, this is the most
sober I've been in hours, Ash,

and truthfully, I've never been
more certain about a decision.

- JORDAN: JJ...
- JJ: Hey, I'm not done.

We decided to live in this
house to enjoy college,

but along the way, our
signals got crossed.

You guys went from being my boys

to some grumpy old men,

which is why I'm gonna
go live at Gamma Nu Phi

with guys a little closer to my age.

So that's it, then, huh?

Nothin' else you want to talk about?

Nothing you might regret saying, huh?

Nah. I live with no regrets.

Enjoy paying my share of the rent.

ASHER: JJ.

[DOOR SLAMS]

- [CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICKING]
- KENNY: Man,

I can't thank you and J. enough

for helping me with
these recruits, bruh.

I'm sorry we couldn't
lock 'em all in, Coach.

- What? out of ?
- Yeah. Heh.

Man, I'll take that any day,

especially with how uncertain
things were looking this morning.

- SPENCER: Hmm.
- MAN: Hey, Coach, need you a minute.

- I gotta holla at Coach D.
- OK.

Holla at you later.

- Appreciate you again.
- Always, always.

All right.

[SIGHS]

Hell of a day.

- Yep.
- SPENCER: How you holdin' up?

OLIVIA: Not too bad. You?

Better than earlier.

We lost some of our players to Coastal,

but we secured most of
our high-school recruits,

including my boy.

- [APPLAUSE AND CHEERING]
- SPENCER: [CHUCKLES]

So I ain't heard nothing
else about the article.

I'm guessing you had a change of heart?

No.

The article's still coming out, Spencer.

But not necessarily tied to me.

What are you talkin' about?

Well, you were right.

It would have been way more
hurtful to you and Jordan if

my real name was attached to it...

So I found an alternative.

[CELLPHONES CHIMING AND VIBRATING]

- MAN: Oh, look at this.
- MAN : Dude, check your phone.

[OVERLAPPING CHATTER]

SPENCER: "Jayden Davis"?