[ "Novacane Flow"plays]
♪ Life, love isn't forever, low cut ♪
♪ One N-A
♪ One in a million
-So you're telling me that my father had an entire family
before he met my mother?
-Yeah.
-How do I know you're telling the truth?
-Think about it. [Chuckles wryly]
Lyric. Harmony.
It's clear that this man had a love for music that ran deep.
-This has to be a joke.
-So you really had no idea?
Like, you didn't even know that he was married before?
-No. Does it seem like I knew anything?
Honestly, I'm just shocked
that he kept this from my mother
and from me.
-Oh, your mother knew.
-What do you mean, she knew?
-Okay.
So the story, as I've been told,
goes like this.
He and my mother met in high school.
She got pregnant with me during their senior year.
They graduated. He couldn't find work.
His band split up, so he decides to enlist in the army.
He gets stationed in South Carolina.
He gets situated out there, and then he sends for us.
Years later, he gets stationed in Fort Bliss, Texas.
He says the same thing.
He's going to send for us.
Only he never does.
He never came back.
-Fort Bliss.
That's where I was born. -Mm-hmm.
I can't believe that my mother stayed with a man
who she knew abandoned his family.
What kind of woman does something like that?
-But she didn't.
-What do you mean?
-So my mother found out what y'all's address was in Texas,
and she wrote him a letter.
But your mother got a hold of that letter.
And she confronted him.
-And that's why she left.
I was ten when that happened.
This is crazy because honestly,
everything that I ever thought about my life
has been an entire lie.
And the worst part of it
is that he's not even here to answer for it.
-I've been searching for answers my whole life
so I know exactly how you feel.
-Honestly, I'm really not sure what to do.
-If I can make a suggestion.
Call your mom.
That's an excellent place to start.
♪♪
-[Rapping] ♪ I can't see it coming down my eyes ♪
♪ So I gotta make this song cry ♪
♪ I can't lie
♪ I can't see it coming down my eyes ♪
♪ So I gotta make this song cry ♪
♪ I can't lie
♪ I can't see it coming down my eyes ♪
♪ So I gotta make this song cry ♪
♪ I can't lie
♪ I can't see it coming down my eyes ♪
♪ So I gotta make this song cry ♪
-Where are you coming from?
-Oh. Hey, babe. -Nigga, don't hey me.
Where have you been?
-I had a meeting with a client. -Yeah, a client.
Don't try that shit with me.
You forgot our dinner plans.
-Damn.
I can explain.
-So explain.
-Alright. What had happened was --
-Yeah, unh-unh. No.
How about you start with the truth?
For once.
-I had a meeting with Audrey.
-Audrey. The one on our account?
-Yep.
-So?
-When I left the office earlier,
that was her calling me.
She said she wanted to speak about business.
-Okay.
-When I arrived,
I thought that we were going to discuss her account.
-But... -But what?
-She wanted to act on other business.
-Wait, what?!
-So, did you sleep with her?
-No.
-But I thought about it for the sake of the business.
-Spencer. You thoughtabout it?
Spencer. What the fuck?
-Hell, yeah, I thought about it!
We work too hard.
We got goals that we're trying to achieve.
-Unbelievable.
-Look, you said you wanted the truth.
-And what stopped you?
-I just knew that once I traveled down that road,
I was never going to see the light
at the end of the tunnel.
And she was going to be controlling me.
-What about the account?
-I don't know.
I just figured I'd let some time pass
and then we see what her head is at.
-Nah.
You're not going to do anything.
-What, you mean? -You heard me.
Let me handle it.
And, Spencer. -Huh?
-You better not be fucking lying to me.
[Mid-tempo R&B music plays]
♪♪
-So what are you thinking? -I am stressed.
How about you? -Same.
-I didn't know it would be this difficult
to get everybody on the same page.
I tried calling my sister
and she's not returning my calls.
-Well, Mel said that she sent the invite.
-I know she's just being difficult.
-Well, are your parents at least coming or...?
-Yes, as of now, they said they'll be there.
-Vaughn, I feel like we wanted to celebrate
ourbig day with our loved ones.
But I feel like we're going into this marriage
at odds with everybody.
-I'm with you. I mean, who does?
It's just you can't convince some people.
-What?
-You see what -- This is -- This is what I'm talk--
Never mind. -Wait, wait.
Say what's on your mind. -No, Vaughn.
This is hella frustrating.
Do you understand what's happening right now?
I've never wanted a big wedding. Ever.
All I ever wanted was to be married to you, and that is it.
I feel like there are hiccups in this planning.
And then you got your sister. Like...
Maybe this is a sign. -Whoa, whoa, wait.
You don't want to get married with me anymore.
-No, baby, that's not what I'm saying.
I'm just saying I don't want the outside noise
spoiling ourbig day.
You know, I've never been excited
about planning this wedding, ever.
Not for one moment.
And I feel like we're accommodating
everybody else's feelings except ours.
And it's not fair. -I hear you, I get it.
I'm frustrated with the back and forth as well.
-So what do we do?
-The only thing that's left to do.
♪♪
-So tell me.
How did you know that Kyle was the one?
-Okay, well, after my divorce, I wasn't checking for Kyle.
Hell, I wasn't checking for anyone.
Okay? But Kyle was patient,
and he waited until I was ready to love again.
-Mm.
-I don't know the exact moment,
but it was like a light switch went off,
and suddenly I looked at him differently.
-It's like overnight they became lovers and friends.
You know what I mean? [Laughter]
-You could say that. [Laughter]
-Well, I'm here for all of the advice.
Um, like, what did you learn
and what would you do differently this time around?
-Well, that's easy.
Never to lose myself in a marriage again.
-Mm. -Before, I felt like...
I was serving and waiting for Spencer
to decide when things were a go.
But not this time. Not again. I'm not losing my voice.
-Well, with Kyle, I don't think you have to worry
about any of that. -Right.
-Well, let's talk about the honeymoon. Are you ready?
Because, you know, you need to spice it up.
-Only you would think about something like that.
-I'm just saying I need a new godson,
so y'all better stay in that bedroom.
-I can't. -[Chuckles]
Girl, you are crazy.
I am actually looking forward
to seeing the island.
I've never been to Bali.
-The only sightseeing
you need to be doing is in that bedroom.
-You know what? Okay, fine.
Speaking of bedrooms,
I should be asking y'all who's been keeping you company lately?
-No, you shouldn't, because you would know
if we got our plus one.
-Exactly. -Hello?
-Wait, she gets a plus one.
-Oh, you see, they always say it's the closest one to you.
-Yo. -Okay, wait wait, wait.
But if you should know,
Maya's been with her boyfriend for two years,
and he's a nice guy.
-Carlos is a nice guy.
-Both: Who's Carlos?
The guy I met at Starbucks last week.
-You see what I'm talking about?
Every week it's someone new.
-Well, what can I say? I like variety.
-You are sick. -No, she's crazy.
-Well, I think I can speak for all of us
and say that we are glad to see you happy.
And we can't wait to see you jump the broom,
because you are going to be a beautiful bride.
-Aww. -Yes you are.
-Let's toast to a lifetime of happiness.
-Cheers! Cheers!
-Cheers! -Cheers.
[Cellphone buzzes]
[" Island Flow" plays]
-♪ Unh, unh, unh, unh
♪ Ooh-ooh, ooh
-Yeah.
Went from poverty to poetry.
From performing local to international.
Some say we on.
I say we never took a day off. Let's go.
-♪ No days off
-I got you.
-I'm -- I'm -- I'm good. Thank you.
-You can't even reach-- -Come on.
-Damn! What's wrong with you?
Oh, you're ignoring me now?
Come on. Like, is there an issue?
Do we have a problem? -Yeah.
We have a big fucking problem.
-What you mad about? -I'm not in the mood right now.
I'm being serious.
-Here you go with the bullshit starting shit for no reason.
-Don't play with me like that, Blake.
You know exactly why I'm upset with you.
-I don't, and whatever it's about,
it ain't got shit to do with me.
-Oh, so you sneaking out our bedroom
at 3:00 a.m. to talk to your ex-girlfriend
Ain't got shit to do with you?
'Cause that's what happened, right?
-So we going through phones now?
That's what we doing?
-Don't try to change the subject.
Why is she calling you?
-It was about nothing. -Well, it was about something.
Because it was obvious you didn't want me
to hear the conversation.
-It's not that I didn't want you to hear the conversation
or I was hot or anything, I just didn't want to wake you.
-Oh, you didn't want to wake me, right?
So what did y'all talk about then?
-She misplaced her birth certificate.
She was just calling to see if I found it.
That's it. -Oh, her birth certificate.
You want me to think that homegirl called you
at 3:00 in the morning for a birth certificate?
Nigga, do you think I'm dumb? -What are you talking about?
I'm telling you what happened.
[Sighs]
Does that shit sound believable to you?
Like if I told you some bullshit like that,
would you believe me?
Because it's obvious that she still wants you.
-Like, come on, use your fucking brain.
-Believe it or not, it's the truth.
If you're insecure, just say that.
-Don't gaslight me.
The bottom line is,
she should not be calling you in the middle of the night.
In fact, she shouldn't still have access to you at all.
I mean, it's over, right? Y'all are not together no more.
Ain't nothing going on. That's what you said, right?
-It is over. I told you that we're friends.
I was just being cordial. That's it. Nothing more.
-Ah, okay. Yeah. Alright.
-So you don't trust me? -Why should I trust you?
This isn't the first time that's happened.
And if I didn't say something, were you going to tell me?
-I told you it was about nothing.
And you keep going on with this shit.
-Because the shit is not adding up, Blake.
-Okay, look...
If you don't trust me,
then why are we even doing this? Why are we here?
Yeah -- You know what? Never mind.
-No. Say what you're going to say.
Why are you holding back now?
-Alright, if I'm lying, you don't trust me.
Then why are we even doing this?
We should just end it right here. Right?
-That's what you want to do.
You want to walk away?
-I'm just saying, I gotta protect me
because ain't nobody else here gonna do it.
-[Scoffs] Okay.
So you want to leave me again?
Cool. Whatever.
You can leave. There's a door. -Say less.
-Oh, less is said then, nigga.
-No, we're not doing this. Look.
I want you to be here. I'm not running from us.
I love you.
I want you in my life. And I want you here.
-I love you, and I want you here, too.
-But I need you to be honest with me.
-I am being honest with you. But I need you to believe
when I tell you that Shannon is in my past.
And you are my future.
I'm sorry if I disrespected you in any way.
But you've got to believe me. Okay?
Do you forgive me? -Mm-hmm.
-You said what? I didn't quite hear you.
-I said I forgive you.
-Oh, that's what I thought.
So can we get back to us now, please?
-Mm-hmm. -Hm?
-Yeah. -Yeah.
♪♪
-You got fitted for your tux?
-Yes, I got fitted for my tux. -And you got your shoes?
-Yes, man. I'm good. You ain't gotta worry about me.
-Okay, okay, okay. I'm just making sure.
-Did you get the wedding band? -Check.
-And you booked the DJ for the wedding?
-DJ Supreme is locked in. -Thank God, bro.
I know Laura was trying to book a live band or something.
-Nah, there's no way I was going for that.
Look, I pretty much let her take the lead on everything,
but there is no way she was handling the music.
-Pssh, wise, man.
-Hey, man, it's gonna be a party.
-Sure.
Yo, so how you going into the marriage?
-What do you mean?
-I mean, you getting a prenup?
-Nah, man. I'm good.
-You mean to tell me you ain't never thought about it?
-With Laura? Hell no, man. We locked in.
-How can you be so sure?
-Because I know her and I trust her, that's how.
-I remember you trusting Amber at one point too.
-What does one have to do with the other, huh?
Oh, look. What do you have against Laura?
-Look, don't get me wrong.
Alright, everybody loves Laura, and I think she's dope.
You two look good together.
-So what's the problem, Elijah?
-I just think you should protect yourself, that's it.
-Look, Laura is different, bro. She's not like that.
-You know how many guys out there
regret not having a prenup?
-I hear you alright, I do. But Laura has her own, man.
She makes good money. -And so do you.
Bro, you just got out of a bad divorce, man.
And you weren't prepared. Do you want to go through
that shit again if it go left?
-So what do you want me to do?
Go to attorney to have them draft up a prenup,
and then when she refuses to sign it, then what?
-To me, that's a red flag.
Shit, she ain't in it for the money,
then she should have no problem signing it.
-I don't know, man.
We honestly never even discussed this before.
-Maybe now is the right time to.
-With everything going on,
there's no way I'm bringing this to her, bro.
-Don't say I didn't warn you, man.
-I appreciate your concern, but I got this.
Okay, okay, I'm gonna fall back.
-Yeah. Please fall back, bro. -I'm gonna fall back.
I trust your judgment, bro.
♪♪
-Here you go. [Mug thuds]
-Thanks, Mom.
-So what's up? You got any good news?
-Yeah, I got the promotion.
-Ooh, look at God. Ooh! My son, the vice president.
-Oh, I'm so proud of you. -Mm.
Thanks, Mom. -Well, pretend to be excited.
So you're going to celebrate?
-I'm not really in the mood.
-Okay. What do you mean, you're not in the mood?
What's wrong?
-I got something I got to tell you,
but you got to promise to not overreact.
-Now you know I can't do that. -Mom. Please.
-Okay, I promise. What happened?
-I met up with my father the other day.
-Wait. You did what? -I met up with him.
-Theodore.
-Okay. What did he say?
You know, now that you're doing well,
he wants to reach out to you.
No.
-You don't got to put the battery in my back.
I felt the same way. I started to not go.
-You shouldn't have. I wish you would call me.
I would have told you not to waste your time.
-It wasn't what I expected.
-What did he say? You know what?
Never mind. Don't tell me.
-You're going to want to hear this.
-[Sighs] Okay. What story did he hit you with?
-Theodore is dying.
-Dying? -That's exactly what I said.
He has kidney disease.
-Wait. Kidney disease? Since when?
-Apparently, he's been battling it for quite some time.
-Wait. So now he wants to reach out to you,
and he's nearly on his deathbed.
Okay, why am I not surprised?
-That's not the whole story.
-So there's more? -Yeah.
He then asks if I could be a donor.
-Wait.
-He wants you to give him a kidney.
And I know you told him to go to hell.
-Not in those words, exactly. But I did tell him no.
-[Sighs] Well, I'm glad you did.
He has some nerve.
All this time.
-Is it wrong that I feel bad about?
-About what?
-The man is dying and I could possibly save his life.
-Bryce, you haven't seen that many years.
Don't feel bad.
Look, it's unfortunate, but it's not your problem.
You can't save everybody.
-Ma Theodore is my father.
-Yeah, and he walked out on you and left you.
So you remember that.
-I guess you're right. -Of course I am.
And you don't owe that man nothing.
-[Exhales deeply]
-Some say we on. I say we never took a day off.
Let's go. Let's go.
-♪ No days off -Come on.
-♪ 'Cause we working so hard -Yeah. Yeah.
-♪ 24-7 -Let's go! Let's go!
-♪ Bet on myself and got 7 -I did. I did.
-♪ I threw it right back and got 11 ♪
♪ Doubled that number and got a million ♪
♪ Million, million, oh
-[Rapping] ♪ A fellow on a beat, I'm on another plane ♪
♪ A lot on my mind, trying to maintain ♪
♪ On another tour, on another island ♪
♪ Remember, lights was off, pops was on the island ♪
♪ But not the kind you see, crystal clear ♪
♪ Close your eyes, you hear me crystal clear ♪
♪ Never been the one to live in fear ♪
♪ I still gotta keep my pistol near ♪
♪ I play with words, my life wasn't funny ♪
♪ Always been smart, never played the dummy ♪
♪ Some dudes hated