Swagger

Come here, Son.

It's six o'clock in the morning. What are you doing up?

I wanted to get ready. Just like you.

We can't go out into the world like everybody else.

You wanna be taken seriously as a man?

Never let them see you in anything less

than a suit and tie on with not a wrinkle in place.

Shoes shined.

No one can claim they're your betters

if your style and sophistication shine through.

We must present nothing less than our best selves. Do you see?

I have to go. Another thing we can't be is late.

- Go Mustangs. - Good game.

- Thank you. Have a good night, all right? - Yeah. Bye.

- Sir. - That was a hell of a win tonight.

Mm-hmm. I appreciate it. Good night, now.

Congratulations, Emory. Impressive opening game.

I think we can speak for the whole board

and say we're looking forward to seeing what the rest of the season

and our fastidious AD have in store.

Nothing less than a national championship.

Show our pride the Cedar Cove way. The kids, wow, they deserve all the kudos.

And that new coach, something else.

Indeed.

- Good night, Evelyn. - Good night.

- Joseph. - See you at the next game, Emory.

Absolutely.

Dr. Lawson, that was quite the show tonight.

Krista. Yes, you could call it that. What can I do for you?

I'm working on a big story, and I need to talk to you about it now.

Now? Why is that?

Something's about to drop in 12 hours.

My editor's really bugging me about highlighting how Cedar Cove athletics

is going to generate tons of headlines this season.

Time to take a little credit.

The athletes deserve all the credit.

Agreed. In fact, they may deserve a lot more credit than you think.

- Hmm. - Fifteen minutes.

I'm sorry, I have a previous commitment tonight.

Tomorrow then? Give me the morning so I can make my deadline.

Text me the details. I'll be there.

- All right. - Great.

Good night.

Coach, the game ball is for you.

Ain't no way you're not official after that W.

To the most valuable new member of our team.

Speech, speech, speech.

Hey. Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay.

Um. Man, for some of you guys, this season is your last hurrah as a team.

Before we know it, you'll be off to college and doing your own thing.

So let's go out with a bang. This is a hell of a way to set it off.

Man, I... I-I love y'all, man.

Aw!

All right, all right, all right. Listen, listen, listen, listen.

I know you all got big plans with the birthday boy.

Excuse me. The birthday man.

Now that you are officially an adult,

I won't even ask what made you decide to go out wearing that.

What, you get dressed in the dark? That shirt full of holes.

What's wrong with you?

Y'all just jealous 'cause I can pull this off.

I don't know about that.

Anyway, anyway. Coach, you swinging through?

I'ma be a little late to the party. I got something I gotta do real quick.

But, uh, just in case I miss y'all, I'ma leave you with a friendly reminder.

- If you will. - Mmm.

Our next game is a road trip to New York.

So, we gotta get ready, put in that work. Bus leaves tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.

What?

Enjoy the win tonight. Have your fun.

But be responsible, fellas. All right?

- Got you. - All right.

- We can go right now. - Mm-hmm.

Yo, yo, yo, what's popping? What's popping?

- Everybody's got the love. - Thank you. It's all love, it's all love.

- Thank you. - Mmm.

Yeah. Say... Say cheese.

Say cheese.

- Can I have your autograph? - Yeah, no problem.

You did so good today.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um.

Yo, come on, man. We haven't got all day. You know we gotta party.

Hey. All right. For real.

Hey, yo, sophomore. You rolling to the party with us?

I mean, if you got the room.

Boy, you better get ready for them older girls.

- You better watch it. - Come here, boy.

Hey, hey.

My car is full.

I'm taking some ladies from the Latinx club.

- Ooh. - All right then.

- I'll catch y'all. - That's a bet.

- Come on, sophomore. - Hey, man, we good. Let's roll.

We outta here, man.

All right. We out, gang.

It's the worst time for Nick to be injured.

And he's taking it in stride, pero me… …I'm a mess.

- Mmm. What are the doctors saying? - They're telling him to be patient.

Good luck with that.

Exactly. When the lower back pain stops,

then he'll return to practice,

but with limitations. You know, restrictions.

He'll be back at it in no time.

I hope you're right.

Hey.

Mmm.

Oh! Birthday boy. Feliz cumpleaños, Jace.

- Thank you, Miss Mendez. - Aw.

Te ves guapo.

That means ugly, bro.

- Hey. - Guap... Guapo?

- Handsome. Let's go. - Oh, thank you.

- We're gonna see you later, no? - Ciao, ciao.

- Okay. - Hey.

So, how many parents supposed to be at Royale's house later?

Like you said this morning,

- we're only gonna stay until 10:00. - All right.

We may even leave before you do.

Good. Especially you.

- I have a present for you. - I'm just kidding.

- What's happening, Jackie? - Hey, Drew.

You look nice. You smell nice.

Mom, this is my grown-man era.

Happy birthday, young man.

What's all this?

- Oh! Wasn't ready for that. - You ain't making any babies.

Didn't we talk about this already?

We talked about this when you were a kid. Like you said, you smelling like a man.

I don't even wan...

- Should I be afraid of what's inside? - Open it.

This was your grandfather's, and if he were still alive,

he would want you to have this.

"Son, it's your time, stay in the moment."

Ma.

Thank you, Mom, for everything you've done for us.

And I promise you,

one day, I'ma give you back as good as you gave me.

You don't have to do anything.

That's my job, to make sure you become who you're meant to be.

You'll still always be the guy who leaves the toilet seat up.

- Oh, shut up. I love you, Sis. - I love you. Happy birthday, man.

Mm-hmm.

All right.

- Later, Mommy. - Bye.

- Are y'all ready? - You know what time it is, boys.

Damn your slow ass.

- Hey. - Come on, y'all.

We don't got all day, Phil.

You're a sight for sore eyes. Haven't seen you…

Since you moved. I still have your housewarming gift.

From a year ago?

You should come and visit us sometime.

Bro. How can you listen to that and not listen...

You know there's a party at Royale's. You're coming, right?

Yo.

Oh, my Lord.

Yo, Royale… …he living the Black bougie life times a mil.

For real.

- Facts, bro. - What about you, CJ?

You living like this too?

Uh, kind of, but it's in a white neighborhood.

Boy, you about to get some culture right now.

That's right.

Right on time.

And is that a three-piece tracksuit?

I'm passing up on a big interview Krista Cooke wants to do on me tonight

to ball out with you.

Well, it'll be good to get a sweat on.

How often do you get a run in these days?

Between the baby, the job, those damn night classes slowing me down,

I get in when I can. What about you?

Between work… …and my ten-year-old's recitals, I do what I can.

Well, I still got some fire left in me.

I hear that.

Talia, ball!

- Whoo! Let's go! - Oh, it's like that?

Lucky shot.

All right, let's make it interesting. First to 11 wins.

If I win, you gotta go a whole week without wearing a tie.

I'm talking Billy Dee Williams, two buttons open, chest hair showing.

All right. And if I win,

you're sporting a tie and crisp shirt, even at practices and a game.

All right, bet. I got Derek and Talia.

Come on in.

- Emory. - Steve.

- Let's go. - Yeah.

Yeah. Let's get it. Let's get it.

That guy here. Who you got? Who you got?

Ball up.

All right, guys, play nice.

What up, man? How you doing?

Yo, yo. What's happening?

Man, what's good?

- Hey! - Yo! Yo, my boy.

- This is huge, man. - You know.

- Thank you, bro. Respect. - I got you. I got...

- Good to see you, bro. - Yo, 21 Savage.

Sup, my man?