At the recording studio, Scarlett and Gunnar sing “If I Didn’t Know Better” for their demo. Or at least they attempt to. Scarlett, nervous, fumbles her part a few times, so Watty calls it off for the day. Watty tells Gunnar he’ll find someone else to sing on the demo, because they are doing it to land a publishing deal so it doesn’t really matter who’s singing. Scarlett, who hasn’t considered herself a singer, still finds this news disappointing.

Bucky goes over tour dates and options with Deacon and Rayna, and there is awkwardness between them when he leaves. Deacon wants to do their smaller more intimate songs, and Rayna wants anything but. Rayna needs some time and Deacon says to call when she knows what she wants.

Back at the house, Rayna helps pick out clothes for the girls’ talent show. Lamar has the nerve to messenger over a $500,000 check to Rayna—but there are strings attached.

Rayna would have to support Teddy’s campaign full-time and forgo her own career. This isn’t a deal Rayna or Teddy are interested in, and they decide to not accept his loan. But they still need the money... Where will they find it?

Deacon shows up to the studio to record with Juliette after all. They lay down “Undermine,” and are happy with the finished track but both sense an emotional undercurrent. Every song comes from somewhere, as Deacon and Juliette both respond for their own reasons. Laying in bed after sex, Juliette points out that she wants him on her tour, but Deacon doesn’t like being tied down. Still, in the moment, he admits that being and writing with her doesn’t sound bad at all.