At the Club, Nikki comes downstairs and purses her lips at Victor quizzing Victoria and Claire about what they’re keeping from him.
Joining them, Nikki greets Claire and apologizes for not coming to brunch. She announces she’s headed out for fresh air, but Victor says, “Not so fast, alright?” He wants to know what’s going on.
Nikki accuses Victor of bullying to get control. Victor tells Nikki her daughter and granddaughter are worried, and he has a right to know. She argues the point. This has nothing to do with him. Victoria follows as Nikki leaves. Victor implores Claire to tell him what’s going on.
Claire wants to tell him, but she can’t. Victor realizes she’s extremely concerned about her grandmother. “Now you know how I feel.” As he walks off, Holden joins Claire, who rants that she’s watching a disaster in slow motion, but she can’t fix it because she can’t be honest. She tells Holden that Nikki’s facing something and her grandparents need each other more than ever.
Holden tells Claire how much his mother regrets keeping the secret of his paternity. Would she rather hide something or have her grandparents face whatever this is together?
It’s Hard
At Crimson Lights, Sharon regales Nick with stories about playing with Aria. Talk turns to his issues. He admits his last meeting wasn’t fun and elaborates on how draining it can be. She learns a guy came who was high after being clean for years… it’s his worst nightmare. He knows now he can’t do this alone.
They discuss the ins and outs of addiction and Sharon assures him he has a whole team behind him for support. “You can do this, Nick.” He nods. When Sharon steps away for a call from Mariah, Nick goes to the patio and spots his old drug dealer.
Not Having It
At Shadow Room, Noah disconnects from Sienna as Matt Clark walks in. Noah tries getting rid of him as Matt protests that he didn’t come to piss him off. Clark launches into an apology for the messed-up things he did to him. Noah tells him his words are meaningless. “You are not redeemable.” If he hurts anyone he cares about, he’ll kill him.
Matt explains that the things he did make him sick, but is he not supposed to protect himself when someone threatens to kill him? Noah asks if he’s threatening him and says he doesn’t owe him anything. Matt wants Noah to give him a chance to prove he’s changed. Phyllis walks in as Noah tells him he’ll never believe he’s a human being.
Phyllis intervenes, complimenting Noah on the club and lamenting that Summer didn’t come for the opening. She asks Noah to tell Summer that Victor has Newman back and to call her. Noah’s non-committal. When Matt asks to speak to her alone, Noah warns her against hanging out with Matt. Phyllis says he’s a different guy now and they leave.
Noah heads over to Crimson Lights, arriving on the patio right after Nick tells the drug dealer to get lost. His son asks if he knew the guy… he seems angry. Nick lies at first, but then admits he was his dealer. He feels mad and worked up. Recovery is hard. Noah tells him he’s his hero. Nick doesn’t feel like it anymore.
As Phyllis and Matt enter the Club, he tells her that Victor gave him a car and an ankle bracelet. They head to a table where Matt pulls out the chair for her, remembers her wine preference, and compliments her look. They discuss Noah, and Phyllis suggests Matt should consider being a little more low-key. They bond over being told they’re too much and he says he has something to ask her.
It’s Time
At the outdoor café, Victoria tells Nikki that Claire knows about her diagnosis. Nikki stresses that her granddaughter should keep quiet. Victoria insists it’s time for her dad to know what’s going on; she needs to lean on him.
The Final Scenes
Claire finds Victor at the ranch and tells him he needs to know the truth about grandma. She tells him she had an MRI and has a mass on her optic nerve. “Grandpa, she could go blind.”
At the outdoor café, Nikki tells Victoria that she can’t add Victor and his ego on top of her symptoms. It’s a weight she doesn’t need to carry. Victoria argues they have decisions to make and her father will keep digging. Suddenly, Nikki’s overcome with head pain and her vision blurs and dims. She asks Victoria to take her to the hospital. “Right now.”
At Crimson Lights, Noah tells Nick that Matt walked into the Shadow Room today. He needs him to stay away. Nick reassures him that he and Sienna are safe. Noah’s not buying that Clark’s a good guy now. He won’t make this easy for him.
At the Club, Matt marvels over Phyllis’ brain speed and then asks her out on a date. Phyllis tries wrapping her mind around this as he explains that she’s dazzling and beautiful. She may have knocked him over the head, but he’s sure she has a warm heart… like a blinding sun. They could “get” each other as no one else has.
