"And scrambled eggs just the way you like it," Seth placed the pan on the table. "Lots of curry, scrambled the shit out of them, and you got ketchup to drench it with. Anything to make it not taste like eggs."
"You're the best," Lake said.
"And you're a disgrace to every breakfast chef out there," he said.
"Good thing you're not a chef then," she said.
"Are you saying my cooking is bad?" He asked.

They stared at each other for two seconds and then broke out laughing. He sat down and reached for a piece of toast. She was about to put scrambled eggs on her plate when her phone started ringing. Normally Seth would be at work by now but he had taken the day off. Something Finn didn't know and now he was calling.

"Stop answering his calls," he said.
"But I love him," she said.
"You love a dream of a person who never existed," he said. "He played the game too well to rope you in, and once he had you inside his house, he let those walls fall and showed his true color. You know the real person and I can't for the life of me figure out why you keep entertaining the thought of being with him."

She looked down at her plate and shrugged.

"He's never going to turn back into that person you first met. You know that, right? That person never existed. He lied to you, Lake. He fucking lied to you and hurt you again and again. Cut him off for good. Block his number and move on," he said.
"It's not that simple," she said.
"It really is," he said.

Her phone beeped and she grabbed it to read the text.

"Answer your phone, babe."

She started typing in an answer and heard Seth sigh.

"For fuck sake," he mumbled.
"I don't wanna be rude," she said.
"He deserves so much more than you being rude."

"I can't right now. I'm with family."

She sent the text and placed her phone back down. She knew that bought her some time before Finn might try reaching out again. She specifically used the word family to not let him know Seth was home. She reached for the scrambled eggs and started plating her breakfast.

They ate their breakfast with some smalltalk and didn't mention Finn again. Once they were done eating, they worked together with cleaning the table and putting everything in the dish washer.

"Roman's coming over. You remember him, right?" He asked.
"I didn't know you guys still had contact," she said.
"We have plenty of contact. We try to meet up at least once every other week to hang out. He's my best friend," he said.
"How is he doing these days?" She asked.
"Happier. Finally. He got divorced last year," he said.
"What happened?" She asked.
"He married the female version of Finn. At least he was smart enough to get out and not look back," he said.
"But he wasn't smart enough not to marry her to begin with," she said.
"I hope you guys aren't talking about me," Roman said.

Seth and Lake looked over at the kitchen door. Roman was standing there with a smile on his face. He chuckled at Lake's facial expression.

"But you would be right. I wasn't smart enough not to marry her to begin with. She played the long game and didn't show me her true colors until after I said I do," Roman said.
"I'm sorry," Lake said.
"It's okay. I made it out on the other side," Roman said. "So how are you guys doing?"
"I'm good as always," Seth said.
"I'm fine," Lake said.
"The word everyone hates. Fine rarely means anything good," Roman said. "Did I come at a bad time? I feel like I walked in on a serious conversation that I shouldn't be part of."
"No, it's okay. Just a classic siblings argument," Seth said. "Let's go play come games."
"Will you be joining us, Lake?" Roman asked.

Lake looked from Roman and over to Seth. Seth smiled and nodded.

"I can do that," Lake said.
"Sweet!" Roman grinned. "I'm in the mood for Tekken. What do you guys say?"
"I'm game," Seth said.

They all walked into the living room. Roman and Seth sat down on the couch and booted up the playstation. They were just about to pick characters when Seth's phone rang.

"It's work. I said they could call if they had any questions," he said. "Lake, play with Roman while I take this call."

Seth left the living room and Lake sat down next to Roman. He handed her one of the controllers with a smile.

"Ready to get your ass kicked?" He asked.
"Let's see how well you do against Anna," she smirked. "This isn't my first game. Keep talking shit and I will make you eat shit."
"Damn!" He laughed. "Alright. I hear you. Let's play."

They started the game and she got a good backhand slap in as the first move. He laughed and moved his character backwards.

"Do you regret getting divorced?" She asked.
"I regret getting married. I regret the entire relationship. I regret ever saying yes to going out with her, but I don't let those regrets control my life. We live and we learn. Our experiences in life, the good and the bad, shape us into the person we are today," he said.

She turned her head and looked at him.

"Are you some sort of wise guy?" She asked.
"I win!" He laughed.

She looked at the screen again and saw he had defeated her. She shook her head while chuckling and looked at him again. He was grinning at her.

"You gotta keep your eyes on the screen," he said.
"I didn't expect you pouring wisdom on me like that," she said.
"I got some tricks up my sleeve," he winked. "Both when it comes to video games and other stuff."
"What other stuff?" She asked.
"Use your imagination," he smirked.

Seth came walking back in and placed his phone on the coffee table.

"All set," Seth said. "Is everything alright here?"
"I beat her," Roman said.
"Roman is some sort of wise tale of the wizard world with a weird, naughty twist," Lake said.
"What the hell did I miss?" Seth chuckled.
"Nothing really," Lake shrugged. "He's cheating."
"I did not," Roman protested. "You were the one who started talking. I was simply answering your question."

Lake's phone started ringing but she ignored it.

"Your phone is ringing," Roman said.
"It can wait," Lake said.
"Scoop over. I wanna beat my sister," Seth said.

Lake moved closer to Roman so that Seth could sit down. He grabbed one of the controllers, and they started the game. They went back and forward but he ended up beating her.

"Damn it!" Lake said.
"I'm still the best," Seth said.
"How about another game against me?" Roman asked.

Lake chuckled, shook her head no, and stood up.

"He's all yours," Lake looked at Seth. "Kick his ass."
"Oh, I will," Seth smirked.
"Please!" Roman rolled his eyes. "I can take down anyone from the Rollins clan."
"See," Lake said. "Wizard world. He's trying to pull us in."
"You two are equally weird," Seth said.

Lake grinned at Seth and started walking out of the living room.

"Aren't you staying?" Roman asked.
"I need to pee, wise one," Lake said. "Work on seeing the future better."

Roman laughed and turned his attention to the screen again. Seth looked over his shoulder to see Lake disappear, then looked at Roman.

"She likes you," Seth said.
"What makes you think that?" Roman asked.
"Because I know who called and she would never have ignored him like that if she didn't like you," Seth said.
"Is it that Finn bastard she's dating?" Roman asked.
"I wouldn't call it dating. He cheated on her and kicked her out again," Seth said.
"Again?" Roman asked.
"He's done it before. Then he does this back and forward game where he keeps feeding her enough lies to make her constantly come running until he has her right where he wants. Then she moves back in and I will wait for the next time he kicks her out. Currently we're in the back and forward stage of it," Seth said.

Seth sighed again and leaned back in the couch.

"I don't know what to do, Roman. She refuses to listen to any sense," Seth said.
"You can't force her," Roman said.
"I know that but it's so hard constantly seeing her getting hurt by him. I just wanna go there and make a Picasso out of his face with my fists," Seth said.
"Don't," Roman said.
"I won't. I want to but I won't. I have no interest in going to prison," Seth said.

Lake came walking back and both men looked at her over the couch.

"I'm gonna run some errands. How about I bring back some lunch for all of us?" Lake asked.
"I could eat a burrito," Roman said.
"Leave your phone," Seth said.
"Why?" Lake asked.
"You know why," Seth answered. "I won't have this day ruined by that idiot calling you."
"What if I need to get a hold of you about lunch?" Lake asked.
"Take Roman's phone," Seth said.
"How about she takes your phone?" Roman asked.
"They might call me from work again," Seth said. "Take Roman with you instead. This house needs to be vacuumed anyway. I can do that while you're gone."

Lake shook her head no and Roman chuckled at Seth's suggestion. Clearly Seth was trying to push them closer together but he wasn't very clever about it.

"He came to visit you," Lake said.
"Who cares which one of us he hangs out with?" Seth asked.
"That's rude. He's your friend," Lake said.
"Sorry, big fellow," Seth said.
"That's okay," Roman said. "How about we all go shopping and eat lunch somewhere? Will that work for everyone?"

Lake looked at Seth and nodded. He nodded back at her and placed the controller on the coffee table.

"Let's go have some fun around town," Seth said.
"What are we looking for?" Roman asked.
"Do you think I would look good as a blonde?" Lake asked.
"No!" Seth said loudly.

Seth stood up and stared Lake down.

"Carmella is blonde, isn't she?" Seth asked.

Lake shrugged and looked down at the floor.

"For fuck sake, Lake!" Seth growled. "You did the same with Bayley. You wanted to straighten your hair, dye it black, and cut it to your shoulders. It doesn't work like that and you know it. It's not about what you aren't. It's about him being an asshole."
"Can we not do this right now?" Lake asked.
"I'm with Seth," Roman said. "Lake, you are a beautiful woman. Fucking stunning. It's sad that you can't see that yourself but that's what abusers do. They pull that confidence right out of you to a point where you think no one else is ever going to care about you. Trust me, I know how that feels. I was with my wife for far too long because of that. She had me convinced no one would ever love me but her so I stayed out of fear. Not out of love. In the end I realized that even if no one will ever love me again, it doesn't matter because I love myself, and I fucking matter. So do you, Lake. You fucking matter. Let me hear you say it."

Lake raised her eyes from the floor and looked at Roman.

"I matter," Lake mumbled.
"Louder," Roman said. "I fucking matter! Shout it out loud."
"I fucking matter!" Lake yelled.
"You fucking matter!" Roman yelled too. "And now we can go shopping."

Roman looked at Seth and winked. Seth looked grateful and nodded. Roman seemed to be able to reach Lake on a whole other level due to his past with his ex wife. If that's what was needed in order for Lake to finally get free of Finn, Seth welcomed it.

"Alright, I need a big iced coffee," Seth said.
"Me too," Lake said.
"Me three," Roman grinned. "Let's go, Rollins clan."