Original subtitles

Previously...

I gotta tell you something, I've been training Jordan for weeks.

You risked his future? I'm so disappointed in you.

Obviously, I am not happy about what just happened,

but if we could overcome what is dividing us,

we can create a special memory.

You are going to tell your grandkids about this game.

So let's make it a good story.

I cannot believe I left my phone at home, I'm sure I put it in my purse.

It's good to unplug once in a while and besides we have each other.

What's up, Mo? Surprised to see me?

Preach!

No, no, no! Coop!

No, no, no!

INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY

Okay. So, why did you want me to swing by here

before we went to your parents?

What's going on?

Carrie?

Take my hand.

Okay.

It's okay. Everything's okay now.

We should probably get going.

There's nowhere else to go.

This is it.

We can finally end the pain.

We can end the crippling loneliness here now.

- Carrie... - You don't have to be scared.

No, this is a good thing. We're gonna finally be at peace.

No, Carrie!

No, Carrie. No, no, no. Please.

Layla! Hey, it's okay.

You're home. You're safe.

Sorry. Sorry, it's just a bad dream. I'm fine.

- Are you? - Yeah, I am. I promise.

Dr. Leland said nightmares were to be expected, so it's fine.

- Layla, I'm here. - I need to go to the bathroom.

I'm fine, dad, really.

Promise.

ALL AMERICAN

Senior year wasn't supposed to be like this.

I moved back here, I saved the school,

I got the D1 scholarship, I got named an All American,

and I got the girl.

I was happy.

Like, for real, for the first time, happy, and then...

I don't know.

Maybe people like us ain't supposed to have it all.

It's been a hell of a game and we're only in the second quarter.

Chris Jackson takes the snap.

What a catch by Spencer James!

Touchdown Crenshaw!

JJ Parker takes the ball.

The Crenshaw defense is closing in.

He passes it just in time.

Touchdown Beverly!

Hey, I got an idea. Why don't we try and contain that damn tailback?

How about that?

Yeah, that's us!

Hey, Spence, get your damn head back in the game, man.

It is in the game. That's why we're on the board right now.

Worry about your damn self.

What a catch by Spencer James!

At halftime, Crenshaw leads 21 to 17 in the game for the title.

Both teams are giving it all on the field.

What's going on?

You need to go with your mother, son.

We in the middle of the game of our lives right now.

It's Coop.

You should go. We'll handle what needs to be done here.

Thought you could use some company.

Your company? Always.

- You okay? - No.

What's in the envelope?

My commitment letter to Toledo State.

Early Signing Day ends tomorrow night. It has to be signed by then.

You haven't signed it.

- And I'm not going to. - Spencer...

After everything that happened, I can't leave my family.

And I can't leave you.

I can't leave the people I have left that I love.

Babe, Toledo is your only offer.

Then I guess after tomorrow, I'll be back to none.

See you later.

Hey, where you've been?

I was out for a run. Sorry, I didn't think that'd freak you out.

It didn't. It's just that we had breakfast plans at 9:00.

- Sorry. I forgot. - It's all good. Come on. Sit.

I see you made enough food to feed the whole county again.

I never know what you're gonna want, so I just covered my bases.

Dad, like I told you yesterday and the day before that,

you don't have to do all this. I'm fine.

Fine? Here's that word again. You say it at least nine times a day.

- Would you prefer swell? - It's not funny, Layla.

I'm worried about you.

You don't have to be. Did a crappy thing happen? Yes.

Am I having some trouble sleeping? Yes.

Am I working through all of it with my therapist? Yes.

I was thinking that maybe we should have you start seeing Dr. Leland

more than once a week.

In fact, I'm thinking that maybe that second session could be

for both of us, like a family session.

Yeah, maybe.

I gotta run. I have some work to do at the studio.

I can drive you.

Or I can drive myself. It's just the studio, dad. I'll be fine.

What's all this?

Don't be mad. We're all just worried about you.

Baby, everybody is here because they love you

and they want the best for you.

If I didn't know any better I'd say you all were staging an intervention.

- We are. - For what?

To stop you from throwing away your future.

Look, we know what you're thinking, Spence.

You need to carry the responsibility for others on your back.

It's like an addiction

You wanna use what happened to Coop to throw away Toledo State.

And we can't let that happen.

Look, you know that there's no way that Coop would let you

just put aside your dreams because of her.

What did she tell you when you had a shot at Beverly?

That if she had a tenth of my talent, she'd bounce and never look back.

And she ain't here to say it this time.

So I'm gonna say it for her.

Can you tell me something? Why can't you tell me something?

What happened?

- I don't know. - Who shot her? How bad is it?

I don't know. Her dad is in the trauma bay

and her mom is trying to catch a flight back.

- Spencer, she can't die. - I know. Stop.

You can't be here. You have to go now.

Hey. Is Liv home?

Hi...

- Jordan? - Yes. Olivia is here.

No, she's not. Liv is at Spencer's.

Right. Of course. Are you okay?

Me?

I promised myself I wouldn't be weird when I saw you.

- Promise broken. - I know and I'm sorry.

It's just, Layla, come here.

I'm just glad that you're okay.

Thanks.

Actually, is it cool if I just hang out here?

It's just, kinda, hard to breathe at home with my dad like hovering.

Well, I mean, he was scared.

We all were when we heard. I think a little hovering is allowed.

- Yeah, I know. - At least you and your dad talking.

Me and mine I think we're up to three heys and a see you later.

Do you remember when we were 11

and you accidently broke his MVP trophy

building me and Liv our sleepover fort?

Oh, my God. Yes, I thought he was gonna kill me.

And yet here you are, still alive.

Look, you and your dad are gonna power through this as well.

Yeah. I don't know.

He blames himself about what happened with Carrie.

And now, he's overcompensating

and his guilt is suffocating both of us.

But whatever, I just have to make this okay for him.

Okay. But who's making it okay for you?

I'm fine.

Okay, maybe not exactly fine.

It's not even close, but if I told my dad, it will break him.

Okay. So, tell me.

I'm happy to be an ear, and I promise you I won't break.

I just keep, like, replaying it in my head over and over.

Carrie? No, no!

Layla, I promise you I am not crazy, okay?

- I just want the pain to stop. - Carrie, listen to me, okay?

I am not in pain.

I do not need you free me from anything.

- Your mother left you. - She's dead. She died.

Your father abandoned you.

Your best friend and your boyfriend,

your chosen family, they all betrayed you.

And your mind betrayed you, too, Layla.

I know what all of that abandonment and betrayal feels like, okay?

I know how it burned a hole in your gut,

making you feel broken and unworthy.

We don't have to feel like that anymore.

Carrie, stop, stop saying we, okay?

That is not my life. That is not how I feel.

Yes, I've felt betrayal and abandonment,

but you know what else I felt?

Forgiveness, and love, and purpose, and hope.

Carrie, I need you to hear me.

I don't wanna die.

Please, Carrie, let me go, okay?

Please.

It is one scholarship and there might be others.

Or there might not be.

You playing Russian roulette with your future, dawg.

It's one thing if you said the dream has changed,

that you didn't wanna play professional football anymore.

But it hasn't. And you do. So, why won't you sign the paper?

Look, I get it, Spence. You know I do.

Just waking up tomorrow is hard, let alone anything beyond that,

but come on, you're stronger than that.

We're stronger than that.

Bruh, please say something before someone breaks out

the "you is kind, you is smart" speech. Please.

I appreciate y'all doing this. I do. But I'm doing what's best for me.

Are you though?

Or you just let fear take over?

Thank you for coming.

- So Texas, huh? - Yes, sir.

My mom is doing great with her physical therapy there.

And I just committed to play for Texas Northern Tech.

That's dope, man. I'm proud of you, homie.

Appreciate you. It's good seeing you, man.

You too, man.

All right. So, come on, man. What's up?

I know you're hurting, but you're smarter than this.

Dang, man, I can't order a drink first?

No, not when you got Ms. Grace losing sleep at night.

She's worried you're about to start having survivor's guilt

over all the good things happening in your life. Like Toledo State.

But I told her you are way too smart to throw away a scholarship

over a heartbreak that you can't change.

You know how they say the pain is always hardest

for the ones left standing? They ain't wrong.

Yeah. Who knows that better than me, you, and Dillon?

Yeah, but this is Coop, man.

Coop.

It's different.

I'm so sorry.

Is there any update? Is there anything that I can do for you?

Thank you. No, no.

The doctors won't let anybody back into the trauma bay.

They're trying to stabilize her or something,

so they can get her into surgery.

You know what, Olivia?

How about we see if we can find some food or coffee for everyone?

- Thanks, mom. - You're welcome.

Excuse me. I'll be right back.

Yo, Spence, listen, man...

- How could you? - No, stop! Stop!

You just dumped her there!

She is dying and your ass was nowhere to be found.

My ass is the reason she got a fighting chance.

You need to start explaining fast, bro.

Look, Coop called and said that she was gonna confront Mo

about planting drugs on the bus.

I told to her to wait and let me take care of it,

but you know Coop don't listen to no one.

When I get there, Mo had a gun on Coop.

The next thing I know she's shooting at Coop and I'm shooting her.

Wait, you shot Mo?

I had no choice. I thought I got my shot off before she did, but...

Coop was bleeding out in my arms.

- So, I got her here. - Then why didn't you stay?

- You had her blood all over you. - I'm a felon on parole.

I'm going back to prison when all this gets out.

Where's Mo? Where's she at?

She's dead.

I just tried Layla again. No answer.

- This is all my fault. - Patience, you're upset.

We all are. You're not thinking straight.

Really?

Well, who first told Coop that she was looking for drama

with Mo when there wasn't none?

Or who pushed Coop to let her guard down?

Because of me, Coop walked right into Mo's trap.

Now, she's bleeding out on a stretcher and I can't get to her.

Coop's a fighter, right? She gonna pull through this.

Spencer...

- Doc, what's going on? - Mr. Cooper, stand back.

We have to get your daughter into the operating room.

- I thought she wasn't stable enough. - She's not, but we can't wait.

We have to try to get that bullet out and stop the bleeding

or she won't make it. I'm sorry.

Carrie, please let me go. Carrie, please.

Everything feels so out of control. I thought that we were the same.

I thought I was helping you.

But you're right.

You have hope.

Oh, my God, I'm so sorry!

Carrie?

Layla?

Hey, what are you doing here?

I come bearing gifts, coffee, and my musical expertise.

You're working on Coop's album, right?

Yeah. I'm finishing it for her. It seems like the least I can do right now.

All right. Let's do it then.

No, thanks. I've got it covered.

All right, cool. Well, I will just sit back

and watch your musical genius at work then.

Thank you again, dad, but, no,

you don't have to watch over me every second. It's a lot.

Sweetheart, I almost lost you.

I'm going to be a little overprotective right now.

- Your therapist said that... - You spoke to my therapist?

Just briefly when I called about adding the extra session a week.

- Layla? - I just have to run some errands.

I know I sound like a broken record,

but I'd feel better if I came with you.

Well, I'm not gonna be alone. Jordan is coming with me.

We made plans earlier, so I will be safe dad.

Okay? I'll see you at home.

Hey.

I'm gonna take it to mean that because you're here,

you did not go to Grace's intervention for Spencer.

Sounds like she has everybody and their mama going,

so I think he's covered.

He's got what he needs. He's gonna be with family.

Yeah. You're his family, Billy.

Jordan was supposed to be recovering.

The doctor made it clear, any jarring at all could be damaging.

- Spencer risked Jordan's life. - No, no, no.

Jordan risked Jordan's life and it was stupid and dangerous.

But ultimately, it was a risk that paid off.

I've never seen Jordan play the way he played at the championships.

This is Jordan Baker's first return to the field

since his concussion mid-season. And what a return it is!

Beverly is up 38-33.

What an impressive game it's been for both teams.

Crenshaw has time for one more play.

If they get this across the goal line, they will be the new state champions.

- You good? - Yeah, I'm good.

You know what to do. Play like Chargers.

You have given me everything tonight. I cannot for ask no more.

- Finish it. - Yes, sir.

Listen up. We've been together for a minute now.

We had each other's backs even when we mad,

'cause that's how families be

and we a family through and through, okay?

So, let's finish this. It's now or never, boys.

Chris is right. Now, we're missing a vital member of this family

who's off dealing with a tragedy.

That man carried us here damn near on his back.

So, the least we could do is finish this one out for him.

This win tonight is for Spencer James.

Break!

Get there.

Ease it up!

No touchdown!

He's short!

He's short. He was short.

It was short. No good.

Beverly wins the state championship again. What a game!

What a final play by Chris Jackson and the whole Crenshaw team!

This will go down as one for the books.

We're here for you and Coop.

I'm sorry.

- I can't believe y'all here, man. - Where else would we be?

Look, Spence, I should be the one apologizing, okay? Not you.

We good, man.

How's Coop doing? Any update?

What is it?

- She made it through her surgery. - Thank God. That's good news.

They won't know the extent of the damage until she wakes up.

What is it, Ma? What are y'all not saying?

The surgery was rough. She barely made it through.

It's not a matter of when she wakes up.

It's if she wakes up.

Coop's in a coma?

It's okay.

I appreciate you flying out, but my mind's made up.

Okay. That was weird.

Layla's dad just called asking for Jordan's number.

- He say how she was doing? - Sounds like better than he is.

So, any luck getting through to him?

This is one hardheaded negro.

You know I'm standing right here, right?

You should try talking to my dad. You guys always...

He ain't tryna hear from me right now.

All right, Spence. This is the last thing I'm gonna say.

Staying back or moving back has always been your go-to

anytime things get a little rough.

And if you're being honest with yourself, it's become a crutch.

Maybe something out there scares you.

Maybe something about the dream scares you.

The question is what.

The next time you wanna use me as an alibi,

maybe give a brother heads up,

so I know how to cover for you when your dad calls.

Of course he checked. Wait. How'd you find me?

Your dad has Find My Phone activated.

The only way I could get him to not come here himself

was to offer to come instead.

Thank you. It's weird being here without Coop.

Yeah. I was actually gonna swing by Spencer's

and check on him while I'm down here. Would you wanna come?

I would. I just feel like if I don't get going

my dad will have the national guard come and escort me home.

Do you mind if I toss in my two cents?

The more you keep your dad in the dark about everything that you're feeling,

the tighter he's gonna want to hold on.

Just be honest with him, for both of your sakes.

Even if it hurts him?

The pain is for a moment.

The healing is a lifetime.

Isn't that what you told Carrie that night?

- Carrie? - Why are you still here?

Because you're still here.

Layla, please, you need to go.

Look,

I know I said we weren't the same, but we kind of are.

You were right.

We're not.

I felt what you felt.

I've been where you are, with the unimaginable pain

and the being tired of hurting

and feeling like no one understands,

and feeling like there's no way to make it stop except to take your own life.

Carrie, I was my own cliff less than a year ago

and I am still here.

I am proof that you can and you will get make it.

You're stronger than me.

I've been here before, and I got help,

and now, I'm back here again.

I can't keep starting over because clearly it is not working.

Look, I know it feels like you are back in the same place,

but you're not, okay?

Fighting for our mental health it's like a roller coaster,

there are ups and there are downs, but there is always forward movement.

Why are you trying to help me after everything that I've done?

Because you helped me once.

When I was at my worst and I walked into Running Springs,

you helped to keep me better.

You saved my life, Carrie, and I'm not leaving until I return the favor.

It hurts, Layla.

Everything hurts.

I know. I promise you that that pain is just for the moment

and you'll heal, and you'll get through this.

And then, that new, brighter feeling, will last a lifetime.

It's too late. I already messed up.

My parents, you...

Carrie, we love you, okay? We want you to get better.

I know it all feels really overwhelming and huge right now.

Look,

all we have to do is just focus on one thing at a time, okay?

I don't even know where to start.

Where was the last place that you felt like yourself and you felt safe?

Honestly?

The Running Springs facility.

Okay. Let's start there.

Just come on.

Come on. It's gonna be fun.

- Hey. - Hey.

Listen, I'm really glad you wanted to talk.

- Dad, I... - Just let me get this out first.

Layla, I'm sorry.

After almost losing you in the midst of Carrie's episode,

it scared me to death.

And I realized that the way I've been acting over the last three days

has been more about what I needed,

when it should've been about what you needed.

Honestly, I don't know that I really understood what I needed until now.

I'm listening.

I need to feel safe, dad. And I don't feel safe here.

Okay. It's just a house. We can move again.

It's not the house. It's the home.

It's not just about what happened with Carrie,

or the break-in at the last house, or my struggle with depression.

I have not felt safe or like I'm on solid ground

since mom died and you left.

You're part of the home I feel unsafe in.

And that feeling is what left me vulnerable

to someone like Carrie.

I'm sorry.

Don't be.

And you're right.

I should be the one asking for forgiveness.

Most importantly, I want you feeling healthy and whole.

Yeah, so do I.

How do we make you feel safe again?

Hey, Tamia Cooper?

Three days, Coop.

You just had to make my heart stop for three days.

I'm sorry, but who are you?

It's me.

Coop, it's me. Spence.

You should've seen your face, fool.

If you wasn't in that bed, I would whoop your ass.

- My bad. - It's all good.

- Hey. - Hi, Mrs. Baker.

Thank you.

- Hey. - Let me grab this.

Thanks again for agreeing to let her stay.

It takes a village, right?

Thanks for agreeing to this, dad.

- I love you. - I love you too.

JP, it's not gonna be forever.

And you know you can come anytime you want.

I know.

Thank you.

You got a second, coach?

I heard the good news about Coop.

Yeah, it's amazing.

It's good news.

I'm supposed to sign to Toledo by the end of today.

I couldn't bring myself to do it when I thought

Coop was gonna stay in that coma indefinitely, but she's awake now.

Gonna make a full recovery, yet I still can't sign.

Darnell thinks it's 'cause something about the dream scares me.

Well, you gotta do what's right for you.

How many times I gotta say I'm sorry, man?

Coach, I am sorry I trained Jordan.

I'm sorry I had to leave the game. Maybe if I had stayed,

it wouldn't came so close to the wire and we'd be the official State Champs.

We are the State Champs.

I don't care what the official records say.

We all know that and that's all that matters.

No good!

There's no instant replay and we gotta live with that call,

but we won that game, damn it.

And we won it without Spencer James.

And I ain't saying that to be cruel, I'm just proving the point.

And what point is that?

You don't always have to be the hero, Spencer,

just like you didn't have to be the hero when Jordan asked you

to train him.

Your need to play God could get somebody killed one day.

What was I supposed to do, huh?

Jordan was going to train with or without me, man.

At least with me, I could keep him safe.

It's not your job to keep him safe.

That's my job. That's Laura's job.

You should have come to us.

You wanna know why you ain't gonna sign this damn letter?

It's not 'cause you think Crenshaw,

or your family, or your friends are gonna fall apart without you.

That's not it.

You're just scared that they won't.

And who is Spencer James if he ain't the hero?

I can't let you do that.

You're on parole. I'm not letting you go back to prison.

What's going on? I thought you were laying low.

I wanted to see her awake for myself.

And you promised me you'd rest, Coop.

Babe, I've been asleep for the last three days. I think I'm good on rest.

Nah, she's right. I'ma head up outta here.

Tamia Cooper? I'm Detective Poworski.

It's good to see you awake.

I have some questions for you about the night of your shooting.

Well, she's still recovering. So, can't this wait?

Not if we wanna catch who did this.

There's no one to catch. Monique Moore shot Coop, right before...

Right before I shot her back.

So, you're saying that Monique Moore shot you first,

and then you shot back in self-defense?

That's exactly what I'm saying.

Where's the gun? It wasn't recovered at the scene.

I passed out after getting shot and I woke up here a few hours ago.

- How'd you get to the hospital? - Again, I don't know.

Were there any witnesses at the scene?

No. It was just me and Mo.

I think you should have your lawyer around before you say nothing else.

Tell your lawyer that we'll be back to finish up our statement in the morning.

Have a good night!

There. It's done.

They'll dot their "I's" and cross their whatever's,

but self-defense is clean cut.

Excuse me.

- What? - What's the problem?

Coop was out. She was done with the drama, with the gang crap,

and she just threw herself right back in the middle of it all by lying.

- Well, she's trying to save me. - Yeah, there is always a reason.

I spent the last few days blaming you, blaming myself

for what happened to Coop.

But the truth is, the person to blame for all the drama

that follows Coop around is Coop. When is it ever gonna stop?

Big head and I thought, maybe just for tonight,

you didn't wanna sleep alone.

- Our sleepover fort. - Your sleepover fort.

Coach Baker asked me a question tonight.

And I realized I don't have the answer.

I don't know. Maybe he's right about me having a savior complex,

maybe not.

But at some point, I gotta take the leap to find out, right?

I mean, Dr. Spears' always telling me to put my mask on first.

So, here we go.

I always imagined we'd be together when I sign to a D1 school.

So let's do it, pops.