[Vocal samples on soundtrack]
Leikeli47: ♪ Back again up in this mother-- ♪
♪ Entertainment for you mother-- ♪
♪ Come for my Ms, you'll get this double-double ♪
♪ 4-4 straight to your bubble
♪ In this game because I love the trouble... ♪
-How's the crew at Bringston? -They're good.
You and Damon, you guys worked out all your friend stuff?
Wow. So you really think that I'd move on that fast after we broke up?
♪ You better get back
♪ You pop, huh, like, my boy, did you forget ♪
♪ We know you not with--
♪ I ain't knocking your little hustle ♪
♪ But watch it, I would hate to hear that loud ♪
♪ Ooh, chitty-chitty bang, chitty-chitty bang... ♪
Celine: We had an affair. I got pregnant.
I think you're that baby.
You're my son and J.R.'s brother.
Damon: Celine betrayed you, and I paid the price for your pride.
Jessie: I knew I couldn't do it.
You were another man's child.
I'm sorry I hurt you,
but I had to protect my family.
[Vocal samples playing on soundtrack]
'Cause you had a vasectomy,
the thought never occurred to you that I could be yours, did it?
'Cause I am, in fact, your biological son.
♪ Bang, bang, bang, ooh
♪ Chitty-chitty bang, chitty-chitty bang ♪
[Echoing] ♪ Bang, bang...
Good game.
Athlete: She got so much better.
-Oh, yeah. -OK!
What exactly are you celebrating?
I just won my match.
That was a practice match between
you and the number-10 player on this team.
You're in the top 6. You're supposed to win.
Yes, Coach Hinds.
Look, we're in competition season now.
Real matches start in two weeks.
Coach Loni expects you to be ready.
And I am ready.
I've been training nonstop over the winter break,
and there's nothing more important to me
than showing up for this team this season.
Coach, I'm here to win.
Well, you favoring your back foot
and your poor hip rotation say different.
Do better, Simone.
Let's go. Huddle up.
I still won.
Coach Shaw was right about you.
Assistant Coach Keeshawn Stan.
Uh, yeah, my bad.
Coach Shaw said the field would be empty today.
I was just trying to feel it out for myself.
Now, look, let me get out your way, all right?
Hey, no need. Dude, if everything goes as planned,
this will be your field soon.
I haven't decided if I'mma transfer yet.
"Doing what needs to be done may not make you happy,
but it..."
Both: "will make you great."
Yeah. George Bernard Shaw.
Tick-tock, son.
[Knock on door]
Simone: Hello!
Oh! Well, OK! New president's office.
Auntie, I see you.
Thank you very much. Not bad, huh?
Definitely giving Queen over her fiefdom,
I'll tell you that.
This is presidency Amara Patterson style.
And you're right where you're supposed to be.
Hmm. Speaking of which,
isn't practice where you're supposed to be?
Auntie, do you think the coaches blame me
for losing their star player?
What if they believe Thea's injury is my fault,
like she says it is?
OK. You're talking about grown-ass women, Simone.
The idea that you sabotaged and injured Thea is ludicrous,
no matter what insanity Thea's grief has her
running around campus, saying.
Keisha: OK! Nathaniel: Yass!
It's giving President Dr. Queen Patterson.
Keisha: She has money. My God. Nathaniel: OK!
Peace lilies.
Allegedly, they bring good luck and good fortune,
which we thought was apropos.
Thank you.
And we're so proud of you.
Plus...
Thank you all.
Love you. So proud of you.
Amara: Love you, too.
Enough of that before you all make me cry.
Keisha: OK. [Amara clears throat]
Amara: Um, tell me about L.A.
How was the Christmas trip?
Keisha: It was fine. Simone: Uhh...
it was fine. Keisha: Yeah. Fine...
Simone: I thought it was fine.
Uhhhh, try again.
Nathaniel: The "Cliffs Notes" version?
Cam ghosted Keisha, and Jordan 'tis a ho.
Keisha: OK, "ghosted" is kind of a strong way of saying...
Simone: Jordan is not hoeing around exactly...
OK. Whatever.
Look, whether or not Jordan is moving
a little fast with Layla or anyone else
is not my business anymore.
I'm fine.
OK. I'll just prove it to you all.
Keisha: What are you doing?
I'm inviting Spencer and Jordan to family brunch.
They're in town for their bowl game,
and they invited us to their Christmas Eve Eve party,
so why not return the favor? And send.
[Music playing]
[Laughter]
Welcome back, man.
It's good to be back, especially on neutral ground.
Heh! What, you spending the holidays
juggling your divorcing parents
wasn't all joy and Christmas cheer?
You mean our divorcing parents?
Yeah. Right.
I mean, I appreciate you, bro, but you know
you didn't have to get me anything, right?
Negro, do you see these perfect corners?
Do it look like I can wrap like this?
Man, this from Mom.
Ah...yeah.
Thanks, man.
Hey, how was Christmas with Thea?
Did you tell her you're considering transferring?
Nah, man. Um...
I mean, I wanted to,
but that girl is dealing with a lot right now.
You know, her surgery was successful,
but, well, with her recovery and physical therapy,
uh, that's been a little more complicated.
Thea: Are you crazy?
No. May is absolutely not a freaking option.
What part of "I need to get back on my courts"
do you not understand?
The recovery from a SLAP tear is what it is.
You can't defy medical science.
Well, clearly, you don't know me that well.
We're done for the day, Thea.
You know, I don't give a crap
what degree you got.
I know my body, and I know my pain tolerance level...
That's the whole point. You're not supposed
to be feeling pain doing these exercises.
Thea: OK, do you want to get fired like...
Damon: W-w-wait. Time-- time-out. Time-out.
Time-out.
Bro, look, um, you might want to go, like,
take a break or something.
I'll see you Thursday, Thea.
Thea: Mm-hmm. Damon: Appreciate it.
Hey, babe.
[Exhales]
Look, babe, maybe you should take it--
No, shh. Mm. No, not you, too. Please don't.
Fine. Look, are you ready?
Ready? For...? Oh.
Family brunch.
No. I forgot about that.
Maybe I shouldn't go. It's just so...
What? No, no, no, no, no.
Dr. P. is already expecting us, OK?
It is gonna be cool, all right? Trust me.
[Sarcastically] Yeah, sure it is.
♪ Might be I'll have to start dripping ♪
♪ Yeah, it's a whole lotta ice on me... ♪
Put the food on the table. We are almost ready.
Hey, look who I found out front.
Spencer: Yo. Simone: Hey, Spence.
Amara: Spencer, it is so good to see you, sweetie.
Spencer: You, too, Dr. Patterson. Hey, thank you for the invite.
Of course...
Spencer: Man. Y'all ain't playing when you say family brunch.
Boy, you know we take our food and our family very seriously.
Mm. So no Jordan?
He got stuck at a QB meeting.
Cam coming, right? I haven't seen that fool in a minute.
He claims that he's running late
but that he'll be here soon.
Girl, I was just kidding earlier about
that whole ghosting thing, but, seriously,
what's going on between you and Cam?
Your guess is as good as mine.
I'm worried about him, but if he won't talk to me,
then I'll just have to worry about myself.
J.R.: Starting in your very first bowl game.
Yo, that's dope.
Crazy, right? Honestly, it ain't even hit me yet.
Oh, you know Spencer's an overachiever.
He puts the rest of us athletes to shame, don't you, Spence?
I don't know. Sounds like someone else I know.
Well, it sucks my coaches don't think so.
Maybe I could ask for a meeting with Coach Loni and Coach Hinds
to kind of clear some air between me and Thea.
Or you can let your hard work on the court
speak for itself and avoid any perception of drama.
Oop. Too late. Too late.
Keisha: There goes the neighborhood.
Amara: Y'all play nice. Damon asked if he could bring her.
Spencer: What's going on? What'd I miss?
Just Thea calling Simone a "conniving bitch"
and then coming for Simone's neck.
Because of Damon?
No, stupid. Because of tennis.
Maybe a little bit because of Damon.
Simone: Oh, well, I'm glad all of this is
just so amusing to you.
Hey, hey. I'm just glad
I'm not the center of all the drama for once.
I'm gonna sit back and enjoy this, all right?
Keisha: Yeah, you should. [Nathaniel chuckles]
Damon: What's up, man? Good to see you again, man.
Spencer: Bro, you, too, man.
Welcome back. [Chuckles]
Um, it's OK I brought Thea, too, right?
Does it look OK?
Simone, look, I know she talked a lot of smack
on the court that day and things have been pretty messy since.
But she was just spiraling, Simone.
Look, she knows how important your friendship is to me.
She's chill now.
Hey, Damon, you should sit down.
It's time to eat.
Yeah. Real chill.
J.R.: Yo, Dr. P.,
what channel is your R & B holiday music?
J.R., turn that up.
Reporter: ...was spotted in a secret training session
at Hawkins this morning.
In keeping with NCAA rules, Coach Shaw was nowhere in sight,
but it appears the rumors are true.
Damon Sims is looking to enter the transfer portal
and leave Bringston University behind.
Seriously?
Excuse me. Thank you so much for brunch.
Thea.
I told you. You should've told her.
He really wants to play for Coach Shaw?
It's either that or play for our dad.
Simone: I guess better the devil you know
versus the devil you want nothing to do with.
Spencer: Ain't nobody wondering who leaked that video of him?
Cam: Hey, I know I'm late, y'all. My bad.
Well, dang. What'd I miss?
Everything.
Cam: I didn't realize
we inviting everyone to family meals now.
At least he showed up on time.
OK. I'mma roll out.
I got another workout I got to get in.
I'll go with you. I got two-a-days,
so I got to get back on the court.
Amara: But you know that you can always talk to me, Damon.
I know. I know. I want to stay.
All right? I do, Dr. P. Believe me.
I just don't know how to play for...
Coach Raymond after everything he's done.
I understand that things are complicated
with him being your birth father.
Is Coach Marcus coming back anytime soon?
I wish I knew, sweetie,
but he's on leave indefinitely,
and he isn't taking my calls.
So that means that Coach Raymond is gonna
be my coach indefinitely.
[Sighs]
Listen, this is a big personal decision, Damon,
so take your time.
You have to do what's best for you.
But as soon as you decide, please let me know.
I'm sure eventually, I'll have to do some damage control
with the trustees.
Woman: You're very quiet today, Marcus.
Just thinking.
Care to think out loud?
That's what I'm here for.
Our last session, we talked about
how your time here is coming to an end.
And I sensed some resistance on your part.
I voluntarily checked myself in here.
Isn't it up to me when I check myself out?
I think the better question is,
why don't you want to check yourself out?
It's been 6 weeks, Marcus. Your new meds are working.
Group therapy worked. Our sessions have worked.
You asked me what I was thinking about earlier.
I was staring at my distorted reflection
in the glass covering your artwork.
Now, what if that's how my players
and my friends see me now--
distorted, broken, different?
What if it's not?
Well, I appreciate you walking me back.
It's all good. You ready to talk about it yet?
Talk about what?
Take your pick. Why are you so relieved
Jordan didn't actually show,
Damon leaving Bringston, or whatever's going on with you and your coaches?
So nothing gets past you, huh?
I told you. I'm just sitting back and enjoying watching.
OK. Well, how about this?
I'll talk to you about Jordan and Damon
if you tell me how you really feel
post-break-up with you and Liv.
So tennis it is.
Mm-hmm. Ha ha!
[Sighs]
[Clears throat]
The only reason why I made top 6 is
because Thea's injured.
And to be honest, I don't think my coaches think I'm good enough.
What do you think?
I think this semester, this new year
was supposed to be me stepping into this epic era,
creating a buzz around my name in the conference,
and two-a-days back on campus.
Nothing new, nothing epic.
I mean, your coaches could've chosen anybody to move up.
They chose you.
Or they chose the best of the worst.
Wow. OK. Who are you, and what have you done with Simone Hicks?
Spencer, I'm very serious.
Me, too. You got to dig deep, Sim,
and find a way to step your game up.
When I first landed at GAU,
I had my ass handed to me on that field.
Coach Garrett hated me.
So then what'd you do to change his mind?
I humbled myself, watched a lot of my game tape,
and really locked in on my weaknesses,
and I turned them into strengths.
Yo, we good?
Do you realize how many times we asked each other that
on Christmas break?
All right. Look, I know I was busy back in L.A.
Busy?
Look, we're back home at Bringston now.
Can we just, you know, put the break behind us?
It's a new year.
Not quite yet.
Do you mind? This a private conversation.
I'm just saying, if you're gonna try to woo my girl,
at least be accurate.
OK, yes, yes. Tomorrow's New Year's Eve.
And after our dinner at Bertacchi's,
we can spend all night together
talking and, well, some other stuff.
Uh, actually, um, about that.
I was thinking we don't do Bertacchi's.
No, no. Look, hear me out, hear me out, OK?
It's just that New Year's can be
a really lonely time, and...
well, Nate doesn't have a date,
so she shouldn't be alone, right?
Now, why am I in it?
Well, Simone, too. She ain't got nobody.
Maybe we can all just do something chill together.
Oh, OK. I got to go. I'm late.
Keisha: So he wants to turn our romantic New Year's Eve
into a group hang.
But you know what? Bet.
Why stop at you and Simone? Why not just invite everybody?
I mean, I am due for a good old-fashioned
Keisha McCalla rager, so...
Kee, what are you doing?
Worrying about my damn self.
Hey, we gonna party on New Year's, Nate.
And I think I know just who to invite.
[Telephone rings]
[Knock on door, laptop chimes]
Jessie, now's not a good time.
I'm guessing the trustees want answers just like I do.
Did you know Damon was leaving?
He hasn't made a decision yet.
And, no, I had no idea.
What are we gonna do about it?
We are going to give Damon some room to breathe
and let him make his decision.
The baseball season doesn't start for another few weeks.
Amara, if Damon leaves, this baseball program goes to hell.
You need to do something.
Jessie, you need to be less worried about losing your star pitcher
and more worried about losing your son.
And you need to stop thinking like everyone's fun aunt
and start thinking like a damn president.
A trash baseball program means
a loss of recruiting power, a loss of sponsorships,
a loss of revenue for this institution.
Your predecessor understood that.
You can't afford to give Damon a couple of weeks
to be in his feelings.
You need a decision and a new plan now.
[Door opens and shuts]
Thea. Hey.
Babe, wait. Wait. Listen--listen...
Do you know how stupid I feel?
You know, I thought that we were building
something real here between us.
We are.
Right, which is why you let me find out
on the news that you're transferring?
And don't tell me about, you just kept it from everyone
because I could see on J.R.'s face that he knew.
So who else knew?
Just listen to me, OK?
I wanted to tell you everything.
You just had a lot going on with your shoulder, and I didn't know how--
Damon, we all have a lot going on. That's called life.
And I know that. [Cell phone vibrates]
You should just check that.
It's probably someone more important than me.
I will just turn it off, OK?
[Cell phone buzzes]
It's Dr. P. She's--
she's summoning me to her office right now.
Like I said, someone more important than me.
That's not-- [Exhales]
Amara: Damon, I know I told you to take your time
in making your transfer decision,
but, unfortunately, the luxury of time is
the one thing neither of us has anymore.
As president, I need to put this institution first.
Um, what does that mean, Dr. P.?
It means you have 48 hours to decide
if you're leaving Bringston.
J.R.
Come on, Dad. Look, I am not in it, all right?
J.R., if Damon leaves, it affects your baseball team.
This is not the time for you to run from the fight.
I'm just protecting my peace.
And, real talk, I ain't mad at Damon
for trying to protect his.
This is not about our family drama.
This is about baseball.
And that's your problem, right, Dad?
Because for me and Damon,
it's about family and baseball.
Look, it took me a long time trying to find my brother.
I'm not gonna let anything mess that up, especially you.
So from this moment forward, consider me Switzerland.
If you want to talk to Damon about staying on the team,
that's for you guys to settle, Dad.
See you later, though.
I want to thank you for coming
to help me out today.
I realized last night, I can't focus on my weaknesses
if I can't see them.
It's all good.
I got an hour to kill before J. picks me up for practice.
So you sure you got everything?
Lenses, all that?
Yes. Look, just go out there, do your thing, kill it,
and I'll take care of the rest.
Spence, relax. This is just a practice match.
Hey, act like it's not.
Go on.
The floor nurse says you've received a number of calls
from an Amara Patterson.
Maybe returning her call would be a good way
to ease the outside world in.
Maybe.
Marcus, you've shut out the world
for quite a while now.
No TV, no music.
You're not taking calls from your friends.
You're gonna have to face it all sometime.
Isn't that proof that I'm not ready?
No. It's proof that you're scared to try.
The power's in you, Marcus.
You're a remarkable man.
And adding to that, you're a coach.
Any ignorance you encounter
can just be a teachable moment.
Look at me.
The world is a better place with you in it,
but you have to really be in it for that to be true.
I always tell my boys fear is never the problem.
We all fear.
It's what we do with that fear that matters,
you know?
Like I said, remarkable man, great coach.
Maybe it's time you listen to yourself.
Coach Ray--
[Exhales] Damn.
Hey.
Damon.
Hey, what's up?
Have you seen Spencer?
Nah, bro, I haven't.
Was it all a joke to you?
Look, bro, I got a lot going on right now.
You really don't want to do this right now.
You see, when Simone and I were together,
there was a lot I didn't say out of respect
for her and your so-called friendship,
but we're not together anymore,
so now, now seems like a really good time.
Dude, what is your problem? I'm not even with your girl.
Right, right. Because what?
Because she's not attractive to you
unless she's unavailable?
Unless you're stealing her out from underneath somebody,
it's not worth it to you?
Oh, OK. I'm gonna need you to watch your mouth
and stop talking about her like she's a piece of property.
You're really out here trying to pretend you give a crap about her?
Where was all this whenever you were busy upending her life
and then you got bored and decided
to hook up with her friend instead?
I'm done.
Oh, you're done, huh?
Guess what, guess what.
We are so not done.
[Scoffs]
You have 3 seconds to get out of my face, dawg.
[Applause]
Keisha: Yes!
Nathaniel: Now, that was impressive.
Simone: Thank you.
What are y'all doing here?
I was actually just coming to check
to make sure you got
the New Year's Eve invite
for tonight's party at chez moi.
My bad. I got curfew.
-What time is curfew? -10:00.
OK, well, then the party starts at 9:00.
You see how easy that was?
What is she doing?
Playing with fire.
OK. Spencer?
Spencer: Yeah. Simone: We're leaving.
I guess I'll see you tonight.
See you tonight.
Student: Come on, man. Be cool.
Student: Hey, man. Student 2: Hey, hey.
Jessie: That's enough... Spencer: Hey, hey!
You out your damn mind? You just got your hand back.
Jordan: OK, OK. Fine. I'm fine.
Go on. Get him out of here!
Damon: Get off me.
[Door slams shut]
Damon, Damon. Damon, you OK? What happened?
Talk to me. What happened?
I guess that fight was a long time coming, huh?
What?
[Chuckles]
I mean, when two guys fall for the same girl,
it's kind of inevitable, Simone.
Not when everyone has moved on.
Damon, what really happened in there?
[Sighs]
Your aunt gave me 48 hours to make a decision.
I don't know. The pressure,
the fear of making the wrong decision.
I guess Jordan was just running his mouth
at the wrong place at the wrong time.
I get it.
You know, I was considering transferring
last semester, too, right?
So I get how overwhelming a decision like that is,
and I didn't even have the family stuff on top of it.
Um...
Do you maybe think you can talk to your aunt?
Buy me some more time?
Damon, I would if I actually thought
it would make a difference,
but if my aunt gave you 48 hours,
then that's probably all she has to give.
But I'm here to listen as long as you need me to.
But Thea is probably the person
you need to talk to about this stuff.
So...
I would if Thea would actually talk to me.
But thanks for the ice pack
and the ear.
I'll be straight.
So you done walking it off yet?
Man. He just gets under my skin.
Oh, wait. For real? I don't think nobody noticed.
All right. This isn't funny. Just...
Yeah, you right.
What's funny is you fighting some dude
who ain't dating the girl that you ain't even dating no more.
The person you got unfinished business with is Simone, J.
Y'all need some real closure, like, yesterday.
Whoa.
Nice outfit.
You good, bro?
Why y'all even on campus? You don't even go here.
Whatever. Can you all just not tell anyone
you saw me delivering food?
You mean don't tell Keisha? [Chuckles]
Y'all fools got the same damn problem, man--
communication.
Y'all letting your pride and ego
stop you from talking to the women
you say mean a lot to you.
Y'all gonna learn the hard way. Watch.
Announcer on TV: $500. Want some spending money?
Different announcer: ...is up to throw...
All right. Sports. Nice and easy.
Man on TV: Let's be clear.
The only reason Sims' potential transfer
would even be valid this time of year is
because of the coaching changes at Bringston,
a loophole no one is surprised Coach Shaw
is readily taking advantage of,
although the portal does open him up
to any school that wants him, not just Hawkins.
Regardless, this would be a major blow to the Bringston Lions,
who were poised for quite the comeback this year.
OK, well, this isn't the outfit that I was going for tonight,
but at least you're here.
Well, actually, I can't stay.
Well, like, right now, or you can't come to the party at all?
Wow. OK, Cam, if you don't want to be with me anymore,
please just say that because whatever game you're playing
hurts too much, and I don't want to do this anymore.
I lost my football scholarship.
That's why I was so distant in L.A.
and didn't bring you home to meet my parents.
I had to tell them about it,
and I knew that wasn't gonna go well, so...
I--I don't know.
I guess the anxiety about having to deal with all that back home
just brought out the old Cam and my old insecurities.
Wait. Wait. Wait. What--what do you mean,
you lost your football scholarship?
When? Why?
The night of the step show.
It was either make curfew or perform with you,
and I chose you.
Oh, my God.
Since then, I've been working mad jobs
to try and save money.
That's why I've been so M.I.A.
Wait. But, Cam, that-- that was 6 weeks ago.
Why didn't you tell me sooner?
I didn't want you to feel responsible.
I mean, that's why I didn't have you meet my parents.
I didn't want them to blame you either. So instead--
So instead, you chose to gaslight me
and make me feel like I was crazy
for thinking you were lying and keeping things from me
when that's exactly what you were doing the whole time?
OK, well, this outfit makes more sense now.
Don't let me keep you from your shift.
You need help?
From you? No, thank you.
I'd like to keep both my shoulders intact.
I don't even know why I bother.
Anyway, while you're busy being high and mighty,
you might want to check on Damon.
He could really use your support right now.
Oh, so now you're telling me what my boyfriend needs.
I'm not telling you anything.
I'm trying to be the bigger person here,
but screw that and screw you.
I actually have a match to prep for.
Simone, it won't make a difference how much you practice.
You will never be me, and you'll never beat me,
even with my shoulder messed up.
I'm not even gonna engage, Thea.
Are you afraid to play me?
Are you crazy?
You know what? Fine. You want to be humiliated?
Let's go.
♪ She ain't nothing like, nothing like me ♪
♪ I am the first of my kind
♪ I am essential
♪ Yeah, you can check my credentials ♪
♪ Movin' like I set the tempo
♪ Don't know what you waiting fo', get ready for it ♪
♪ I'm the top dawg running this gang, gang, gang ♪
♪ When I pop up, I'mma go bang, bang, bang ♪
♪ Not a knockoff, I'm the real thang, thang, thang ♪
♪ I am the rule breaker
♪ Ay ay ay ay ay ay ay
♪ Ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ay
♪ I am the rule breaker [Thea groaning]
Hinds: What the hell is wrong with the two of you?
You're supposed to be teammates. Let me see.
It's OK. I'm--
Hinds: Shut up and go see the trainer.
You're likely gonna need an MRI to assess the damage.
I can't believe that you would do this.
You, of all people, I would think would take your recovery seriously.
Coach, I am. I just--I...
You do realize once Coach Loni hears about this,
she's gonna ban you from the court
until you're fully medically healed.
That means you can't even sit with the team
during practices or games. Go.
But--
Go.
Coach, Coach, I'm really sorry. I--
You almost lost a match to essentially a one-armed player.
We're an HBCU.
I refuse to have a team that's less than the best.
So understand this:
the minute Thea is recovered and cleared,
she's getting her top-6 spot back.
You're not ready, and this match just proved it.
[Damon reading out loud] "Damon, I am so glad J.R.
"found you.
"My sons have each other, and that's all that matters.
"Here's to the memories you'll make together.
The blank pages are for the memories to come."
[Knock on door]
[Sighs]
What are you doing here?
It's time we talked, don't you think?
I don't have anything to say to you. Not anymore.
Fine. You just listen.
I get that you want to punish me,
but are you really so selfish that you
can't see what leaving will do
to your brother, your team?
"Selfish"? This is coming from a man
who chose himself over a defenseless child?
God. You are so hypocritical.
And for the record,
ain't nobody punishing you, man.
I don't give a damn about you.
Hey.
What's up?
So you're not afraid if he leaves
that you'll lose him?
Why is your arm back in a sling?
[Sighs]
OK. No, I'm not afraid. We're brothers.
And we made a pact not to let this come between us.
I trust him. You should, too.
J.R., how am I supposed to do that if he didn't tell me?
Well, he did put your recovery first.
You do realize he gave up spending time
in Chicago with his family to be by your side this winter break?
Look, Thea, don't let your ego cost you
everything you love in life.
And seeing as your recovery is going backwards,
I'mma guess it already cost you tennis.
And it's gonna cost you Damon, too,
if you keep shutting him out.
♪ I'm freein' all of my people out of hell ♪
♪ Blame it on the coke, on the smoke and the scale ♪
♪ Tryin' to lock us up, but you always gonna fail ♪
♪ We don't want the damn dreams that I know you tryin' to sell... ♪
He literally could've just told me when it happened.
I truly could've helped.
I don't know. I could've helped him by being
a buffer for him when he started talking to his parents,
but instead, he decided to cut me out?
Baby girl, I love you,
but you're getting on my nerves.
Uh-uh. Have you considered any of this from Cam's point of view?
Do--do you know how hard this must be for him?
He lost football, his first love.
He then had to go home with his tail between his legs,
let his parents down by telling them, "Uh-oh.
There is no scholarship."
Now he's running himself ragged,
trying to figure out how to pay for his tuition.
Oh, and, mind you, all of this
while his rival shows up in his town,
flirts with his girl, and plays in a bowl game
that Cam will never get to play in.
Yeah! Yeah, I'd be tripping, too.
[Knock knock]
My bad.
Uh, you out of whatever concoction was in here.
They practically licking the bowl out there.
I will handle this.
You OK?
I, um,
I actually think I owe you an apology.
For trying to use me to make Cam jealous?
I was that obvious, huh? Ugh.
I think I really messed this up, Spence.
Yeah, well, you're not gonna fix it
standing in this kitchen here with me.
Come on.
Where are we going?
Hey.
Jordan, today is ranking
as one of my top 5 worst,
and I really don't have time for this right now.
What's going on?
That's not why you came here.
No. No. I, um...
I came here to talk about how much I hate
how awkward things were in L.A.
We were friends before anything else.
Technically, we were a one-night stand
that became friends, then...
then everything else.
We never did things the simple way, did we?
Where's the fun in that?
Look, it doesn't... it doesn't matter
why I came here, all right?
You look like you could use a friend,
and I'm happy to be a substitute
until we find our way back to being the real thing.
Thea reinjured herself today playing against me,
and that's probably the only reason why
I'll be in the top 6 for a little bit longer.
She's coming for her spot back,
and Coach made it very clear that she's gonna get it.
Hey, it's not your fault Thea is injured
any more than it's my fault that Wade is off my football team.
Jordan, that's not the same.
Yeah, it is.
Look, we can't feel guilty
for the circumstances that gave us our dream shot.
We just have to honor the opportunity by
being the best us we can be,
the us that fought our way from being walk-ons
to starting players in less than 6 months.
And we can't let anyone or anything get in our way.
If your coach thinks you're just a place-holder...
ah, prove her wrong.
And Thea may come back for her spot. OK.
But make sure that there is no number-one spot
for her to come back to because you've truly become
the best player on the team.
All right.
I just need to find my way back to being
the Simone that got me this far already.
I don't have time to doubt myself.
I need to be undeniable.
So do you for tomorrow's game.
I know.
Thank you.
Anytime.
About what you wanted to say tonight?
My New Year's wish for you is to be happy,
whatever that looks like
and whoever that's with.
Come here.
[Inhales and exhales]
I genuinely want the same for you.
Good.
[Chuckles]
[Indistinct chatter in next room]
Thanks, Spence.
Anytime.
Alessia Cara: ♪ So much harder to be honest... ♪
I thought you had to work.
Well, I got my shift covered.
And, listen, I've made enough mistakes to last a lifetime,
but the biggest one would've been
not bringing in the new year with the girl I love.
-Cam-- -I'm not finished.
Serious relationships are still new to me.
And, um, I'm not really good
with this whole vulnerable communication thing.
Yeah, you and me both.
I just know there's no one I'd rather work on it with.
We both made mistakes.
What I feel for you scares me sometimes.
OK, yeah, a lot of the time.
The thought of losing what we're working to build
scares me more.
So we'll work on this, all of it, together.
That's right.
♪ But the hardest pill to swallow ♪
♪ Is the meantime
♪ Are the best days just the ones that we survive... ♪
Hey. [Chuckles]
Look at you. I mean, hell must be freezing over.
You out and it's past 10:00?
Yeah, I guess some people are worth sacrificing sleep over.
Look, I'm sorry.
You never left my side through surgery,
through PT, and at the first sign of trouble, I left yours.
[Exhales]
No, but I still should've figured out a way to tell you.
Look, I will stand by whatever baseball decision that you make.
Wherever you go, we will make it work
because you are too important to me not to.
You're too important to me, too.
Thea?
Mm-hmm.
I made my decision.
♪ Live and then you die
♪ But the hardest pill to swallow ♪
♪ Is the meantime
♪ Are the best days just the ones that we survive? ♪
♪ What if my best days
♪ Are the days I've left behind? ♪
♪ And what if the rest stays... ♪
Man: You know, it's a, uh, tragedy
for a pretty woman like yourself
to bring in a New Year's all alone with no one to kiss.
Well, I'm not alone.
I'm here with myself, and I'm perfectly fine.
OK. OK, fine. That's fair enough.
But, you know, it's a tragedy
for a handsome man like myself
to bring in the New Year's all alone. Hmm?
That was kind of corny? All right, all right.
But you're smiling. You're smiling.
[Chuckles] I am.
Man: I'm, uh... Simone: Don't ruin it.
Students: Happy New Year! Whoo!
♪ Ooh ooh ooh ooh
♪ Ooh ooh ooh ooh...
Happy New Year.
♪ What if my best days
♪ Are the days I've left behind? ♪
♪ And what if the rest stays the same... ♪
[Knock on door]
♪ For all my life?
♪ What if the best days
♪ Are the days I've left behind? ♪
♪ And what if the rest stays... ♪
Marcus.
Look, I realize I couldn't stay away in hiding
while my village burns.
I'm back. How can I help, Amara?
♪ Yeah, yeah, ooh ooh ooh... ♪
Greg, move your head.