07x08 - Squabble Up

[bunniefuu]

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

No way. I got... I
got to be sleepwalking.

You good, Coop? You out here

talking to yourself
like you saw a ghost.

Yeah. You seen 'em, too?

Hold on. Those 3 White
kids on the porch?

Oh, yeah. That's
Wyatt, Wyatt, and Wyatt.

We call them the Three Wyatt Men.

And, yes, they all go to South Crenshaw.

They're here to wake up Amina.

It's a new tradition the school

just started for my baby
girl's special announcement.

Well, you know what else is special?

A Black woman's privacy.

Bro, you cannot let them into her room.

I'm pretty sure her
hair's still wrapped up,

she in her PJs, and she just slept

less than 9 hours, and we both know

that little girl need her 9 hours.

AMINA: 10, actually, but

as Stu-Co president,

I'm the one who actually
started this tradition.

I just didn't know they'd pick me.

Pick... pick you for what?

Like Auntie Coop and others before her,

my Mina Bean was named
Miss South Crenshaw.

Homecoming queen? Yo, that's lit!

Yeah. They're gonna honor her tonight

at the game during halftime.

Yo, that's a big deal.

- I'm so proud of you.
- Thank you, TeeTee.

OK, now I just need to figure
out my look for tonight.

Macy can help with my makeup,

but I still need to find
a dress that's giving

and my hair has to be laid.

Coop and I are going
to be your chaperones.

I need to make sure that
dress ain't giving too much.

Aye, man. I'll handle the dress.

- And if you need your hair done...
- I'll figure it out.

Y'all should probably
send the Wyatts home.

[LAUGHTER]

You know, I didn't become
this fit overnight, man.

I mean, back in the day,

I did that diet for
about a month, actually.

- Yeah? How much did you lose?
- About 30 days.

[LAUGHTER]



Is he always this funny?

That's debatable. Aye, I will say

his "dad joke" bag is pretty deep.

CASSIUS: Daamn. You're
really hating, huh?

Look, I'm just trying
to keep things loose

in this interview
before we take y'all out

to our team's morning practice.

Uh, sorry, guys. Something has come up,

so, we're gonna need to
pivot. But this was awesome.

I mean, thanks again for the locker
room tour and the laughs. Ha ha!

Yeah, I'm just curious.
Um, what... what came up?

The pep rally for South
Crenshaw's homecoming game

has been moved to an earlier time.

Wow.

So, uh, you're... you're
ditching us for South Crenshaw?

- That's crazy.
- KJ: Aye, Pop. No, it's all good.

We can, uh, finish up
the interview another day.

No, see, that's not all good, son.

It's the principle. We
are nobody's contingency.

All right? We play for gold
at this school, not silver.

Listen, man.

We are the Beverly Eagles, all right?

We averaging 40 points a
game in our last 3 wins.

We just dropped 40 on Malibu.

No coach in the history of
this program has ever done that.

Not even the infallible Billy Baker.

And there is still room for improvement,

which is pretty damn scary
for our remaining opponents.

Not to mention KJ.

Not only is he one of
the top QBs in the state,

but he's really been
cooking the past few weeks.

To, uh, put it plainly,

he is the best quarterback around

and there isn't an
offense better than ours.

Definitely not South Crenshaw's.

Hell, in my humble opinion...

we're the best damn
team in the whole city.

CASSIUS ON VIDEO: Definitely
not South Crenshaw.

Hell, in my humble opinion,

we're the best damn
team in the whole city.

- LAYLA: Is that Cassius?
- JORDAN: Mm-hmm.

Yeah. That little "Shrinking
While Drinking" session

the two of you had at your lounge

has him out here making
some pretty bold claims.

Shrinking while drinking?
Annoyingly impressive

but what does me giving
Caz advice about his wife

have to do with what he said?

- JORDAN: Caz?
- LAYLA: Mm-hmm.

OK, well, Caz is saying

that Beverly is the
best team in the city.

I mean, they have been
k*lling it the last few weeks.

He also threw shade at my dad, so.

I recant my previous compliment.

We do not joke about Mr. B.

Yeah. But then he did say that KJ

is basically the best
quarterback out there.

And whenever you compare
his numbers to Yasi...

he might be on to something.

Which means he is right

and now I understand why you feel like

my counseling got him there.

- Aw, Jordan.
- JORDAN: Please.

Please, please, please.
The only thing that

he is right about is that their offense

is playing better than ours.

OK? We need to be more expl*sive.

Hmm.

I think that Khalil could be
that spark that we're missing.

We need to start him at wide receiver.

Wait, for tonight's homecoming game?

What better stage for our
team's best-kept secret?

How do you think Coach
Bobby's gonna feel about that?

There's only one way to find out.

But now that we are
officially past Uncle-gate,

I still need keep proving
my worth to him as a coach.

[CELL PHONE CHIMES]

MAN ON PHONE: Aye, Khalil, this is Vonn.

The neighborhood ain't forgot about

how you let your pops get locked
up while you ran to Beverly Hills.

Me and my teammates gon'
see you on the field tonight.

- [CELL PHONE CHIMES]
- AMINA: What are you doing?

[SCOFFS] Nothing.

What are you about to do?

Walk with you.

Shockingly, I've managed
to walk these halls

just fine without you
for the past two weeks.

Look, I was just trying
to give you your space

after the way everything
ended at your Stu-Co party.

I wasn't really sure you was
trying to be friends anymore.

No matter how mad I get,

I'll always be your friend.

So, what's up, Miss South Crenshaw?

- [AMINA GIGGLES]
- KHALIL: About time somebody

gave you your flowers.

Congrats, Meen.

Look at you trying to
make a brown girl blush.

Man, it's been a crazy,
crazy morning so far.

Crazy in a good way, I'm sure.

I know your moms would be proud.

She'd also know what to do with my hair.

That was her thing when it
came to special occasions.

She'd always say, "Whatever
we do to your hair,

we gotta do it big."

Oh, we up right now.
Ha! But come on now.

Are y'all really that surprised
I'm Mr. South Crenshaw?

Your boy's been wearing a
crown since birth, you know.

- AMINA: What's this, Yasi?
- YASI: Well,

in honor of our 60th homecoming game,

the student board surprised us

with the royalty wall here.

You know, we have pictures of...

of our school's kings and queens

- from back in the day until now.
- Yo, Meen, check this out.

I didn't know your moms was
a former Miss South Crenshaw.

Neither did I.

- [CAMERA'S SHUTTER CLICKS]
- [JORDAN CHUCKLES]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

- COACH BOBBY: Nope.
- JORDAN: Oh, come on.

- I didn't even say anything.
- Didn't have to.

OK. Come on, come on, come on.

Your eyes did. Now, let me guess.

You want to talk to me about

what Beverly's coach said this morning.

No. Not really. I do have
a response to it, though.

We need to start
Khalil at wide receiver.

- COACH BOBBY: For homecoming?
- JORDAN: Coach Bobby,

he is ready, OK? And no offense,

but our offense has been a little...

offensive this season.

I run that offense, Baker.

And need I remind
you, we are undefeated?

Yeah. Thanks to our defense, sir.

Respectfully, we need better play

on the other side of the
ball if we want a three-peat.

And I believe that Khalil can help us

score more touchdowns
and be more dynamic.

That's a lot of weight
to put on one kid,

- especially one with so much baggage.
- Mm-hmm.

We all have baggage, sir.

Khalil is ready. He is locked in.

No more distractions
anymore. And you promised him

that if he continued to work hard

that you would give him a chance.

He has done exactly that, Coach,

It is time to take
off the training wheels

and let him ball out under the lights.

Oh, something wrong with practice?

Yeah. We're halfway done
and you're not there.

Assistant coaches got it.

Words you have never said before.

Man, what's up? What's going on?

Oh, Amina and Yasi are
homecoming king and queen.

- Aye, that's lit.
- Apparently, that's the only story

that reporter Brent Nash
hasn't written about.

I did a deep dive into his archives.

He's done a weekly piece
on the South Crenshaw

football team for the past two years.

I mean, they are
two-time defending champs.

Yeah, but his job is to cover
all the schools in our section,

not be South Crenshaw's biggest stan.

I'm cool with the lack of attention.

It allows us to fly
right under the radar.

I hear you, son, but you and
your teammates deserve more love.

And now that I gone viral,

I'm gonna slide into Brent's DMs

and demand that he put our story

before the South Crenshaw one.

Pause. OK, no father of mine
is sliding into anybody's DMs.

OK, so let's just pretend that
that comment never happened

and focus on finishing practice. Cool?

Cool.

[CELL PHONE CHIMES]

Ayo. There he is. Big game tonight.

- KHALIL: Biggest one this season.
- JORDAN: Mm-hmm.

But why are you just staring
at the depth chart like that?

Because there's a name missing.

- Wait. Wait, I'm starting tonight.
- JORDAN: Yes.

- KHALIL: For real?
- JORDAN: Yes, sir.

KHALIL: Yo, Coach, you're a real one.

- Wait. And Coach Bobby?
- He's on board.

Your hard work convinced
him to give you a shot. So...

- keep on convincing him.
- Yes, sir.

I won't let y'all down. I promise.

[BUZZING]

AMINA: Hey.

KJ: You, uh, almost sent
me to voicemail, didn't you?

Which answer gets me into
the least amount of trouble?

KJ: Ha! The truth?

AMINA: Well, the truth is, I wasn't
sure if we were still friends.

[SIGH] Heh.

Well, um, I'm sorry to tell you,

but you can't get rid of me that easy.

And besides, according to
the, uh, fake boyfriend bylaws,

you can't reach out
to your ex for at least



Unless that ex becomes
Miss South Crenshaw.

Aye, congratulations, Amina the Queen.

OK. Not you with the nicknames.

So, we fake break up
and you somehow level up?

AMINA: The-level up is
still to be determined.

Guess what? I'm legacy.

I just found out my mom was Miss
South Crenshaw back in the day.

KJ: For real? That's dope.

Wait, you didn't know that until today?

Apparently, there's a lot that
I'm still learning about her.

So, what's new in the Jeremy universe?

Um, Let's see. Uh, heh,

we won our game last night.

Um... heh. I don't think
we'll be able to get

Grayson out of his homecoming crown.

- AMINA: Ha ha!
- KJ: And, uh, yeah.

My dad tried to slide
into a reporter's DMs.

- AMINA: OK, Mr. Jeremy.
- KJ: Stop, OK?

It's not like that. It
was football-related.

You know, football is everything to us,

but it can't be the only thing.

You know, I think he needs

more of a balance in his life.

Like a friend, a
hobby, a dog, something.

AMINA: OK. Since y'all
played last night,

maybe you two should take
a road trip out of town.

Like, you know, get your dad
away from football for a few days.

Aye, I love that.

- Damn, you're good.
- [CELL PHONE BUZZES]

OK, um, I should probably get going.

I need to pick up my
dress and still figure out

what I'm doing for my hair tonight.

KJ: Well, that's easy.

Just wear it the same way your
mom did for her homecoming.

Like a homage thing.

Hey, I love that. Damn, you're good.

SINGER: ♪ And now is the time ♪

SINGERS: ♪ If it all rearranges
and life turns the pages ♪

♪ No, I won't escape it, no ♪

OK. I really felt that one.

His voice is pitch perfect,

and his phrasing really
brings my lyrics to life.

I mean, he's been big on the
indie circuit for the past year.

So, after weeks of searching
for the right singer,

are you about to say what
I think you're about to say?

That we're passing? Absolutely.

Wait. Really?

But you totally lit
up when he nailed that

"I won't let them hide my shine" line.

I also lit up when singer
number 8 was pitch perfect,

but she couldn't land the emotion.

And you're sure that it's not the
lyrics that are holding us back?

Seriously. Elle, when I first
heard your song "Believe,"

those lyrics made me feel seen.

I really want your new fans

to feel your words in that same way

and that's not possible if we
don't find the right singer.

I'm starting to wonder
if that person exists.

We just have to find the right fit.

- Trust me, I'll know when I know.
- OK.

Did you know? About her
being Miss South Crenshaw?

Nope.

But y'all dated.

That was after high school.

Look, I'ma head on
over to the pep rally.

I'll see you there.

All right.

Aye, what's up, Mr. Simms?

Did he seem off to you?

Nah. Him ignoring me is 100% on brand.

I'm talking about his energy.

He just claimed that he didn't know

my mom was Miss South Crenshaw, but

they went here at the same time.

Yeah, but your pops was real
active in the streets back then.

I mean, he might have went here,
but he didn't really go here,

- if that makes sense.
- When I hear that she was Miss South Crenshaw,

that just proves that there
was more good to her story

than everyone here wants to remember.

But why? Why bury her light?

Look, I gotta go.

- What about the pep rally?
- There's no time.

In honor of my mom, I need to make
sure that tonight is perfection.

CASSIUS: Yo, uh, what is the
new password to my laptop?

- I know you changed it, man.
- Uh, about that.

No laptops allowed on our road trip.

When did we discuss a road trip?

We didn't. Yet.

- CASSIUS: OK.
- KJ: But if you're down,

I was thinking maybe we can drive
up the coast for a couple days.

Hold up, wait, you don't
even like long drives,

so, what is this really about?

Yo, is this about that reporter?

This is about you maybe needing

a little more balance in your life, Pop.

- CASSIUS: Balance? What?
- KJ: Something like a friend.

I got friends. I have friends.

Like, uh, Layla. Or, uh, my man Jerome.

- Who is Jerome?
- I never mentioned Rome? Huh.

Dude. Oh, man. Yep.

I met him at Layla's lounge, actually.

Solid dude. Solid dude.

In fact, we supposed to hang tonight,

so, uh, I'ma have to
run. I'ma catch you later.

- KJ: Yo, wha...
- CASSIUS: Don't wait up.

[SIGH]

YASI: Aye, bruh. Tonight's
game is gonna be lit.

King Yasi's about to go off.

I might even pass to you.

You better pass to me if
you're trying to go off.

- Man, give me the ball.
- VONN: And I'ma knock you out

the moment you touch that ball.

Aye, Vonn, what are
you doing here, bruh?

That's how we saluting old friends now?

You never responded to my text, so,

we decided to pull up.

Aye, bruh, if you don't leave right now,

- you about to run this fade.
- Square up then.

Been wanting this fade ever since

your punk a*s let
your pops get arrested.

Ain't no way we ever
forgive you for that.

And ain't no way we letting
you put hands on our boy.

So, either we can handle
this on the field tonight

or we can handle it right here.

PREACH: Aye, what'n the hell
y'all Slauson boys doing here?

All good, sir.

We just leaving.

SINGER: ♪ 95 with the golden sunrays ♪

COOP: You been listening
to the same bop on repeat.

Is this new artist?

Uh, for another label one day.

Hold up. You passed on this dude?

I still haven't found an
artist who speaks to me like...

- COOP: Me?
- LAYLA: Yeah.

Wait. You was gonna say
Patience, wasn't you?

No. OK, maybe,

but only because she's
still on my label.

- COOP: Mm-hmm.
- LAYLA: You know, and you both

represent something that I'm,

that I'm currently looking for.

- COOP: Which is?
- LAYLA: Well, I told Elle

that I would know when I found
the right person for her lyrics,

but truthfully... I don't know.

I mean, it's been a while
since I've signed someone new

and [SIGH] it's possible
I'm losing my touch.

Or just a little in your
head about it right now.

I mean, listening to many
versions of the same song is a lot.

You start to lose
track of what you like.

Right. Yeah. I just need to...

to get back to the basics of the lyrics

and remind myself what spoke
to me in the first place.

- COOP: Mm-hmm.
- LAYLA: You know,

strip the beat down and,

and get someone to lay
down a temp vocal track.

And who better to do that than
the chick that wrote the song?

Hmm.

COACH BOBBY: This is our homecoming.

We're winners in here.

- MAN: Yes, sir.
- COACH BOBBY: Kings do king things.

- PLAYERS: Yes, sir.
- COACH BOBBY: You go out there

and you show them that we
are the kings of Crenshaw.

- [PLAYERS TALKING AT ONCE]
- COACH BOBBY: Bring it in.

- KHALIL: Yes, sir!
- [PLAYERS TALKING AT ONCE]

Homecoming on me, homecoming on 3.

- YASI: 1, 2, 3.
- PLAYERS: Homecoming!

[CHEERING]

One sec, one sec, one sec.

[SIGH] I heard a few Slauson
players stopped by earlier.

Dude from my old
neighborhood was popping off.

- We squashed it, though.
- This isn't something

that'll spill onto
the field later, right?

No, sir. You lined me up
for this chance, Coach.

Ain't no way I'm letting
you or my teammates down.

A'ight. Go get 'em.

Yes, sir.

[WHISPERS] Here we go.

[CROWD CHEERING]

ANNOUNCER: Tonight's
homecoming game between

South Crenshaw and Slauson
should be a good one.

Although the Chargers are undefeated,

many believe they still haven't
played their best offensive game yet.

MAN: ♪ I've been on a mission,
can't nobody stop me now ♪

♪ They doubted my vision, now I'm ♪

♪ Breaking through the clouds ♪

- ♪ I been through... ♪
- MAN: It's gon' be a long night, homie.

I promise you.

MAN: [INDISTINCT] 2, [INDISTINCT] 2.

Now go.

MAN: ♪ All they do is hate on me ♪

♪ But they don't make a sound ♪

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

MAN: You're not ready. You're not ready.

How did you not see that blitz coming?

You need to call it the blitz, bruh.

- And you need to play smarter, bruh.
- Bruh, watch who you talking to.

Khalil misses another assignment,

- I'm gonna pull him.
- Probably just nerves.

Actually, I have a play
that'll calm him down right now.

I call the plays, Baker.

A suggestion for a play?

Time out.

[BLOWS WHISTLE]

- MAN: Timeout.
- JORDAN: Come here. Bring it in, fellas.

All right, listen up. We are good.

We're good. It was one play. All right?

Vonn is playing very aggressive.

The one thing to do when a player
is playing aggressive is what?

Double move. OK? Khalil,
calling your number.

- All right? Tell 'em what you got.
- OK.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

MAN: ♪ Yeah, when it's crunch time ♪

♪ You a fan in the stands ♪

- ♪ We the front line ♪
- PLAYER: Let's go!

MAN: ♪ Yeah, when it's crunch time ♪

♪ Trophy in my hand
'cause it's all mine ♪

- MAN: ♪ Stand tall ♪
- JORDAN: Come on, Yasi, boom!

MAN: ♪ Going hard ♪

[CROWD AND PLAYERS CHEERING]

Boom! Let's go!

MAN: ♪ Made it through the
fight lotta close calls ♪

♪ Now we 24/7, ain't no days off ♪

♪ I just focus on the
game right in front of me ♪

♪ Get to business, I'm
the head of the company ♪

♪ And when the pressure hit,
tell me who you go and get ♪

♪ 'Cause we don't never
stop till it's over with ♪

[CROWD CHEERING]

Ooh!

I like it, Coach. I like it.

MAN: ♪ Yeah, when it's crunch time ♪

♪ Trophy in my hand 'cause
it's all mine, uh, yeah ♪

Go, go, go, go.

[CROWD CHEERING]

Boom! Let's go, baby.

Give me some. Give me some.

Come on. I know you want to.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Coach Jeremy? Hey.

My name is Dwayne. Proud Beverly alum.

Anytime I hear that, it's
always followed with a "but."

Not this time.

I saw your video from earlier,

and I just wanted to say thank you.

I agree, this is the best Beverly
team we've had in a long time.

We were really good
during the Billy Baker era

but not this dominant.

I also heard through the grapevine that

you love a good dad joke.

- CASSIUS: Uh, yeah.
- DWAYNE: Same here.

- CASSIUS: Yeah?
- DWAYNE: Ha!

All right. Well, finish this one.

I used to hate facial hair...

- but then it grew on me.
- [CHUCKLES]

My man. Yo, have a seat, man.

[CHUCKLES]

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

Wow. I mean, uh, my bad.

I was just... I was just
reacting to how fast you answered.

- AMINA: Right.
- [BOTH CHUCKLE]

You know, a compliment between
fake exes is also allowed.

Well, then you look amazing.

Seriously. I mean, the hair,

the dress, the makeup.

You're gonna do your mama so proud.

Thank you. [CHUCKLES]

Wait. Shouldn't you
be skulking at Layla's?

I am. I mean, the benefit
of it being in this area

is that I get to update you in person.

And let me tell you,

friend date number one is officially

- up and running successfully.
- [AMINA LAUGHS]

- BOTH: Aye, perfect.
- [BOTH LAUGH]

I still can't believe you got your
dad going on bestie blind dates.

"Dads That Friend." I
mean, it's a solid way

to get him out there, you know?

Meeting some new folks.

Can you see if your dad can, um,

stop by after homecoming?

I mean, him and my pops,

they seemed to hit it
off at your meal drive.

Uh, yeah. Maybe.

That "maybe" felt a bit loaded.

It's... it's almost halftime and, uh,

I need to head over to the game.

OK.

Yeah, I should probably get back

- to spying on my dad anyway.
- Ha ha!

Aye, Amina, you go out there

and you have an amazing time tonight.

You deserve it.

[PERSON SHOUTS INDISTINCTLY]

Coach, we are up 27-zero

with less than two minutes
to go until halftime,

and I have one more suggestion.

This is your last one for the game.

The Jordan Baker Special.

Run it.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

PLAYER: Go!

JORDAN: Got him. He's
got him! He's got him!

- [CROWD CHEERING]
- JORDAN: Let's go, baby.

That's a hat trick.
That's a hat trick, baby.

[GROANING LOUDLY]

Oh. Hold on.

[YASI GROANING]

Yasi, Yasi, hey, don't move.

Stay put. Trainer's on the way.

Breathe, breathe, breathe.

[YASI GRUNTS]

[GROANS LOUDLY]

Aye, bruh. Aye, we just broke
for halftime. How's it looking?

Sprained ankle. Doc ruled me
out for the rest of the game.

Damn, bruh. I'm sorry.

How that ankle doing?

- YASI: Excuse me?
- KHALIL: Aye, Vonn.

Aye, your beef's with
me, bruh. Not Yasi.

Y'all need to fall back.

I heard none of that, man.

- Aye, just let it go, bruh.
- Let it go?

He intentionally put me out
the game. He needs to see me.

See you? [SCOFFS] You ain't like that.

You ain't gon' do nothing.

Same way you didn't do nothing

when they k*lled your
baby cousin last year.

- MAN: Uhh.
- [INDISTINCT SHOUTING]

MAN: Hey, hey. Come on.

Khalil! Khalil. What the hell
you about to do with that crutch?

- Coach, it's not what it looks like.
- Sure looked like a brawl to me.

COACH BOBBY: I'll speak
to the Slauson head coach

and we'll get this all sorted out.

REFEREE: We have a zero tolerance policy

when it comes to any type of fighting.

The game has officially been forfeited

and homecoming court will be canceled.

[PLAYERS TALKING AT ONCE]

- Coach, I'm sorry.
- You gave me your word.

- KHALIL: Coach.
- [JORDAN SIGHS]

Did you start this? Did you start this?

Yes, sir.

It's all 'cause of me.

Amina.

Amina.

[MAN LAUGHS]

That's good, man.

Oh, cool. You left the game early.

My dad, he should be
done in about 5 minutes

if you want to come hang with me.

- Hang with you for what?
- My bad, Mr. Simms.

This is for the meet-a-friend
group I signed my dad up for online.

It's called DTF.

Wait. Amina didn't send you here?

No. I came to get a BLT for Amina,

not no damn DTF.

What's wrong with you?

You know what that means, right?

Yeah. Dads That Friend.

Um, well, is Amina still at the game?

Look, homecoming got canceled.

Khalil and his teammates
got into a fight

with some players from Slauson.

ELLE ON RECORDING: ♪
All things in time ♪

♪ Ooh, if it all rearranges ♪

So, not a single nod from you?

I mean, it's been a while
since I recorded vocals,

- so, obviously, there's some rust, but...
- This is it.

Elle, this is what the
song's been missing.

You're what the song has been missing.

I'm sorry. Did you forget the part

where these are temp vocals?

I'm a songwriter now, Layla.

- Yeah, well, plans change.
- So has my life.

And performing is deep in my rear view.

Elle, I've been around
music a long time.

I know how hard it is for
an artist to just shut off

the performance side of their brain.

I kind of had no choice. I was canceled.

Look, second chances are a
timeless theme in the music world,

and I think it's time
for your epic comeback.

Fighting for an artist like me

who said what I said?

It comes with a lot of risks.

And I can't be responsible
for damaging your brand.

[SIGH]

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

[DOOR OPENS]

Lemme guess. You ran into my dad?

Yeah. Uh, he wanted
me to give this to you.

He said the sandwich always
makes you feel better.

Yeah, when I was 10.

- Where is he, anyway?
- Going in on Yasi and them.

Man, of all nights for them
to do something that stupid.

I can't put this on them.

- It just wasn't meant to be, I guess.
- Oh, sure it was.

And this homecoming discovery,

it hit different for you.
I can tell in your voice.

I've noticed how hesitant you get

when talking about your dad

and his relationship with
your mom and her death.

- If you don't mind me asking...
- It's complicated.

Copy that. It's just...

I'm sure it feels like
you're on an island

when you're the only one remembering

the positive things about her.

Yeah.

Being the only one who sees
her goodness is exhausting.

Look, I'm sorry. I need to
take a shower and go lay down.

[DOOR OPENS]

[SIGH]

[DOOR OPENS]

- KHALIL: Aye, I'll be upstairs.
- LAYLA: Hey.

So you can sulk alone?

Not happening, my friend. Come here.

Amazing game tonight.

Making it the best and
worst night of my life.

I let everybody down.

Coach JB. My teammates.

- Amina.
- Khalil, I know how much

this opportunity meant to you.

There's no way you'd jeopardize
it by starting a fight.

I'm not sure that even matters.

If it wasn't for my past,

none of this would have
happened in the first place.

I think this has more to do
with Marqui's past than yours.

Now, if I had to guess, you're
not saying who started the fight

because you're trying
to protect that teammate.

It's further proving the
value of your character.

I appreciate you, Miss...

- Layla. I'm sorry.
- Mm. Of course. And, um,

as for Amina, I'm sure
you can make it up to her.

Actually, I have an idea.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

- All right. Good talk, man.
- [INDISTINCT]

Heh. I did not know you were DTF.

Pretty sure that is none
of your damn business.

OK, easy, big fella.

I'm referring to Dads That Friend.

It's an online challenge where

kids hook up their parents
with, uh, potential friends.

[CHUCKLES]

So that is why my table has
been a revolving door all night.

Mm.

Speed dating for friends.

- Am I really that pathetic?
- Maybe.

No.

No, no, what's pathetic is...

being burned by a kid that
I fought like hell for.

Ah. I heard about Khalil.

But I also saw what he did on the field.

That is the best y'alls
offense has looked all season,

- thanks to me.
- OK. c*ck much?

Look, I called you out online
and boom, your offense explodes.

I mean, you even used our play,

the Kingston Jeremy
special, for your last TD.

Excuse you. No, that's incorrect.

It's actually the Jordan Baker special,

a play that could not
be done without me.

- CASSIUS: Right.
- JORDAN: And if you need further proof,

what's your son's new number again?

[COUGHS]

- [JORDAN CHUCKLES]
- CASSIUS: Hmm.

You were saying about Kahlil?

He's a good kid with a complicated
past with his dad and...

I just hope it doesn't
derail his future.

- Hmm. Yeah, dads will do that sometimes.
- JORDAN: Yeah.

CASSIUS: But he's lucky
to have you as a coach.

Even though I'm coaching

- for the "second best team in the city" or what?
- [CHUCKLES]

Look, I stand on what I said,
man. It's nothing personal.

Just pushing for my team to be seen.

We're the two-time defending champs.

It's kind of hard to be seen
when our shadow is so massive.

Hmm. Well, after tonight's forfeit,

we have the same record.

It's like my pops always said.

You're either first place or replaced.

You're a tough one to figure out.

One minute, you're seemingly a good guy.

Clearly become friends with my wife.

In the next minute, you're
complaining to the media

about respect for your team.

So, which is it? Which
is the real Cassius?

You know? The friend or...

somebody who wants the smoke?

Two things can be the same, Jordan.

- JORDAN: Mm.
- CASSIUS: And trust,

I've really started to
enjoy this back-and-forth

we got going on, so, it's
bittersweet when I say this...

but we are gonna crumble your kingdom.

[LAUGHS]

Oh, that's good.

AMINA: I got your text.

KHALIL: I know I'm probably the last
person you want to see right now.

I'm better now, but an hour ago?

Yeah, I was definitely feeling a way.

You look nice in your apology shirt.

Props to JB's closet for this one.

[BOTH LAUGH]

And, yes, I take full responsibility
for ruining homecoming,

so, hopefully... this'll do.

Oh, my God, Khalil. What's this?

It's a proper night for a queen.

There you go.

Please.

[GIGGLES]

You know, seeing you in that crown

reminds me of when you were cast
as Juliet in "24-Hour Shakespeare."

- That whole time was wild.
- [AMINA CHUCKLES]

KHALIL: I was so caught
up with my Dion drama,

- and Bruce had you on lockdown.
- [LAUGHS]

His name was Bryce, thank you very much.

And... and shout out to him,

'cause he made me feel seen
when nobody was seeing me.

Or talking to me.

MAN: ♪ ... you got what it takes ♪

Why does that feel less about Bryce

and more about something else?

MAN: ♪ Let go of the feeling ♪

Look, I'm sorry, Khalil.

Recreating homecoming
is the sweetest thing

anyone has ever done for me.

Wearing this crown has my mom taking up

all kinds of real estate
in my head right now.

Aye, no need to apologize.

For what it's worth...

I think you need to take
things back to the beginning.

Find out why your mom's life's
been buried in the first place.

AMINA: By doing what?

KHALIL: By talking to your dad and Coop.

Finding out what really happened
the night you lost your mom.

You're 16 now.

They owe the older you the real,
unfiltered truth, whatever that is.

MAN: ♪ You got what it takes ♪

- LAYLA: Hey.
- JORDAN: Hey.

- When did you get home?
- Not that long ago.

Long enough to avoid a certain someone

you think might be upstairs?

That certain someone's lucky
there's an upstairs for him to go to.

OK, well, Khalil is with Amina,

and he didn't start that brawl.

He already copped to it, babe.

Right, because he's an amazing teammate.

But if you check the
tape in that hallway,

you'll get your real answer.

It doesn't change the
fact that there was a kid

who showed up from his
old neighborhood today,

basically declaring w*r against Khalil.

So, he's got baggage, Jordan.

Don't we all?

[SIGH]

Look, you took him in because
you saw something special in him.

The same way your dad
saw something special in

Spencer and Preach and Jabari.

Hey, no one said this was
going to be easy, babe.

But the more that we as a
village pour into Kahlil,

the more his past becomes

a blank canvas with an
even brighter future.

Damn, you got some bars.

- JORDAN: I hear you.
- LAYLA: Mm-hmm.

OK, speaking of bars... tell me.

Any luck on finding a singer?

Well, in a not-so-surprising
twist... Elle.

- [JORDAN GASPS]
- [LAYLA CHUCKLES]

I mean, at least I'm sure about Elle.

She's still got some concerns,
mainly to do with, uh,

- taking me down with her if this fails.
- Has she met you?

I mean, does she not know that
you love to get your hands dirty?

Like, you live for the fight?

Well, I wouldn't say I live for the...

Layla, you have handed me
plenty of losses over the years.

That checks out. And the ones I handed

to my dad and Clay and
every other executive

- that said I was too young to do this.
- Exactly.

You know, there has been a glow

since you started working
with her, an energy.

You missed this and you're thriving.

You see something special in Elle.

I think that's why fighting
for her feels so right.

Yeah.

I mean, Dwayne was solid.
You know, we talked ball,

and he wants to be my rib
plug, but I don't know.

His dad jokes a little basic
for my, uh, advanced palate.

Ah, yeah. I mean, two,
two out of the 3 ain't bad.

What about the second guy? Mark?

Before we get into that,
I'm gonna need you to

put that phone down, son.

Look, why'd you really
set all this up, man?

Truth? Man, your life was
so full back in Oakland.

I mean, yeah, football mattered, but

so did getting seafood
at Chef Smelly's...

- CASSIUS: Yeah.
- KJ: Or Sunday brunches

- at Aunt Camille's...
- CASSIUS: Oh, man.

After church with the friends and fans.

Slamming dominoes with Jeff, Perk,

and Jared to the wee hours.

- Damn!
- Exactly. And I miss my Unks.

You know, I-I miss our old life.

- CASSIUS: Mm.
- KJ: But not just for me,

but for you.

Look, we just landed here, son.

- We'll find our tribe eventually.
- When?

'Cause right now, your
only friend is Layla.

And that's because your second
friend is a whiskey neat.

And whenever Jordan tries to
connect, man, you shade him.

It's like the only thing
you really care about

- right now is me and football.
- All right. Received.

The only reason I'm pushing so hard

is because I know how important
this football dream is to you.

And to keep you on the map,

I gotta put this team on the map.

And I love you for that.

Thanks to you,

we finally starting to get
that recognition we deserve.

But now I think it's time you start

finding that balance you deserve.

OK.

- You think I work for you.
- [CHUCKLES]

Hey, there's some leftovers
in the kitchen. You hungry?

I'm good.

Is everything OK?

So, what actually happened
the night my mom was k*lled?

- Um, we already told you...
- That she was bad?

And since you two were the good ones,

my dad had to choose you, Coop.

- Where's this coming from?
- Now that I'm 16,

I feel like I deserve to know the truth.

Because the mom that
raised me was everything.

A high school homecoming queen

who became this badass lawyer
and leader in her community.

Yeah, but the situation is,

it's a lot more complicated than that.

You said the same damn
thing when I was 11, Coop.

Hey, watch your mouth.

You know what?

Forget I asked anything.

- ELLE: Hey.
- LAYLA: Hey.

Um, I'm glad you came. Have a seat.

- This will be quick, I promise.
- ELLE: Mm-hmm.

LAYLA: I am your target audience.

I loved you, and then I hated you.

And then I got the chance
to know the grown-up you

and now I love you again.
I think it's time the world

got a chance to love you again.

- As a singer.
- ELLE: Layla.

LAYLA: And I know that you are
worried about taking me down with you,

and that's not going to happen, OK,

because this won't fail.

Elle, the world needs your gift

and you deserve a second
chance to share it.

Let me make that happen for you.

Thank you for caring

and for fighting harder
for me than anyone ever has.

- LAYLA: But?
- ELLE: No "but."

I'm sober. I finally have

the right village behind
me, thanks to Liv. So,

I guess I'm finally in the right space

to take on something this challenging.

Yes. Um, so, this is a go?

Let's do it. I'm ready to fight.

- KHALIL: All yours, Coach.
- JORDAN: Uh-uh,

just wait a second.

Before you go, I just want to say...

I'm sorry about the fight,
for ever doubting you.

It's all good. Thank you, though,

for letting me live
out my childhood dreams,

even if that's my last
time touching the field.

I'ma hold on to that forever.

That game was the first
of many, my friend.

Much more ahead, all right?

But... if you don't mind, I gotta ask.

Let me guess... about my pops.

Is he giving orders for cats
like Vonn to come after you?

I don't know. Maybe. He'd
want me to feel his presence

while he's away, for sure, but,

I mean, he'd never let
nobody seriously hurt me.

[CELL PHONE CHIMES]

Right.

OK, listen, I gotta go, but, um...

just remember that your village is deep

and always there for you. OK?

[COMPUTER CHIMES]

Well, Brent, the brawl was embarrassing.

It cost us the win. But also,

it's not the way we train our players.

Actually, Coach Bobby,
apologies for interrupting,

but that is exactly how
we train our players.

Not... not to brawl per se,

but to have each other's backs.

To fight for your brother, and

Brent, that level of unity

wasn't present in our
locker room a month ago.

So, shout out to Yasi
Ray and Khalil Edwards

for the impact that
they're having on our team.

Speaking of Khalil, he had
himself a night in the first half.

Yes, he did. Yes, he did.

That was... Coach Jordan's call.

Did starting Khalil have anything to do

with Cassius Jeremy's claim that

- Beverly is the better team?
- Ha ha. Please.

We are not worried about
Beverly over here, OK?

They are chasing clicks.
We are chasing chips.

ABE PARKER: ♪ ... I can
say it is, it is, it is... ♪

I still don't get what
triggered Amina last night.

It's been simmering for a while now.

She's 16, Preach.

On the cusp of adulthood
and all that comes with it.

She ain't got the one woman

that she need more than anything.

A woman she absolutely worshiped.

Her mother.

And now she wants answers.

Yeah. Answers that we don't fully have.

But we do need to get in front of this

and give her something.

ABE PARKER: ♪ Oh, when I'm the wolf ♪

♪ Among the sheep ♪

♪ Wake up, but I don't sleep ♪

♪ Father, save me from myself, oh ♪

"Since y'all can't give me the
answers I need, I'll get them myself.

Going to my grandparents in Baltimore."

"See you when I get back."

Abe Parker ♪ And my throat's gone numb ♪

♪ My words go dry ♪

♪ But you alone keep me alive ♪

♪ It is, it is, it is what it is ♪

MAN: Greg, move your head.