Cate and Ryan return from their honeymoon only to discover that major changes have been made at the radio station in their absence. A very confused Baze struggles with his feelings for Cate, and ends up hooking up with the hot new bartender, Paige. Meanwhile, Lux and Bug find themselves at a major crossroads in their relationship. Shaun Sipos guest stars as Eric, a newcomer to Portland who befriends Lux.

When Cate and Baze are summoned to the principal's office at Lux's school, they are shocked to learn that Lux is failing and must make a drastic improvement in her grades or risk being kicked out. Meanwhile, after having the rug pulled out from under her at work, Cate starts the difficult process of looking for her next job, and in an effort to be a grown up, Baze decides to interview for a position at his father's firm.

Lux considers cheating on an important exam that she needs to pass to stay in school. Cate accidentally eats some bread that contains pot, which leads to an "unusual" day at the radio station. Ryan and Cate argue about who may have taken a large amount of cash that's missing from Cate's purse.

In an effort to fix their hostile work relationship, Cate attempts to bond with Ryan's new on-air partner, Kelly , but the plan backfires when Kelly reveals a secret Cate has been hiding from Ryan. Meanwhile, Tasha returns to Portland unexpectedly and tells Lux that she is living with a new foster family, and Baze convinces a smitten Math to ask Paige out on a date.

This crossover episode of "Life Unexpected" brings "One Tree Hill" characters Haley and Mia to a music festival, sponsored by a Portland radio station and hosted by Ryan. At the concert, Haley and Cate meet and discover that they have incredibly similar pasts. It turns out that both women were somewhat nerdy, overachieving teenagers who got pregnant in high school by athletes named Nate. And when a secret of Cate's gets outed, Cate turns to Haley for advice.

Cate and Ryan go on a staycation to a local hotel to help make up for the fact that they never had a proper honeymoon. Unfortunately for them, Baze's work retreat is at the same hotel.

Cate, Ryan, Baze, and Math volunteer to chaperon Lux's school camping trip. During the trip, tension rises between Cate and Ryan, while Baze grows closer to Emma. As Lux gets more intimate with Eric, Tasha urges her not to take that risk with her future.

Cate takes Paige out drinking, hoping Paige will reveal more information about the mysterious woman, Julia, from Ryan's past. Ryan joins Baze, Math and Jamie for guys' night out.

Baze and Emma attempt to sign a high-profile client, Candy, who only has eyes for Baze. Lux goes to her homecoming dance hoping to see Eric but the evening takes an ugly turn for the worse. Cate explores Lux's past and is shocked at what she discovers.

When everyone ends up at Baze's loft for Thanksgiving, it isn't long before a few big secrets are exposed. Baze worries that his father, Jack, will discover he is dating his boss, Emma; Lux worries that her parents will find out she is spending time with Eric; Tasha worries that something very dark from her not-too-distant past will be discovered; and Cate worries that if she tells Ryan the truth it will further complicate their already complicated relationship.

Lux and Tasha are forced to deal with the fallout of their recent actions and the potential outcome could change the course of both their lives. As a result, Lux can no longer hide her past from Cate and Baze.

Eric confesses that he is dating Lux while Baze comes to terms with the fact that his father cheated on his mother with Emma prior to their relationship.

Unaware of the affair between Emma and his father, Baze considers buying a house and planning a future with Emma. Lux makes plans for a romantic dinner with Eric when she feels like he's pulling away from her, but she is shocked when Cate and Baze show up.