Invisible Man (Completed ) ✅

♥ Eight ♥

"I know you didn't, babydoll." Jordan spoke the endearment unconsciously. "But that's what he's saying."

"What all did he say, Jon. Tell me the truth." Tears filled her big blue eyes. At that moment, Jon wanted nothing more than to murder his little brother.

"He...he called you a whore, and said that he gave you what you wanted and deserved, the fuck of your life," he told her miserably. She took a ragged breath and picked up the boxes again.

"Jordan, this is my best friend's wedding day, the day she has dreamt of all her life. I refuse to let anyone, even a dick like Joe McIntyre , ruin this for her. We will go through the day like nothing has happened. I will walk down the aisle next to him like he's still the love of my life." She wiped away tears. "We'll worry about this later,"

"Okay. Lacey, I'm so sorry. I wish I could make it better." He gazed into her eyes, willing her to open up to him again. He was afraid that Jordan had rebuilt the walls around her heart with solid steel. She looked back at him, a glimmer of hope building in her soul. Jordan didn't think she was a whore. He said he loved her, she was sure.

"We'll talk later, J. I have to go in to Oriana ."

Oriana 's face radiated happiness. Lacey forgot her problems for a moment and just let herself enjoy her friend's good fortune. Donnie Wahlberg was a great guy, and he and Oriana were perfect for each other.

"I'll make sure to aim the bouquet right at your head," Oriana whispered to Lacey before Lacey went down the aisle ahead of her. "You're destined to be next!"

As Lacey slowly strolled down the aisle, she pasted a smile on her face. The sight of Joe McIntyre made her stomach turn even more than the leftover alcohol that filled it. She would have to return down the aisle on his arm, and she was determined to do the best acting job of her life. He looked so handsome in his black tux and dark blue cummerbund, as did Jordan. Jonathan even  smiled at her encouragingly,willing  Lacey  to be brave. His smile was so warm that she put her nose in the air defiantly.
Joe McIntyre was not going to destroy her.

She took her place at the altar and turned to watch Oriana make her way down the aisle. Tears sprung into her eyes. Her friend looked so gorgeous in her ivory gown, and the happiness seemed to radiate from under the veil. As she glanced at the veil, Joe's words rang through her head. "Take off that little veil so I can show you what a real man fucks like."

Jordan looked over at Lacey, who had suddenly paled. Come on, sweetie, hang in there, he mentally cheerleaded. He saw her slightly shake her head, as if to shake a thought out of her mind.

She looked at Donnie, and thought he had never looked so handsome. It wasn't his tux, though he did look very fine. It was the absolute love that was written all over his face as soon as Oriana came into view.

Oriana nervously took her place by Donnie's side. He took her hand and squeezed it. The ceremony flew by, and she made all of the correct statements and replies, but all she saw were Donnie's hazel eyes looking through the veil, and his beautiful smile glowing at her. Finally, the minister pronounced them man and wife and Donnie carefully lifted the veil. His hands caressed her dark smooth skin as he bent to kiss her.

"My sweet Oriana ," he whispered. "My wife."

He kissed her, a short, gentle kiss that said everything he felt. Everyone applauded. She took his arm and they walked down the aisle. She gazed up at him adoringly. When they got to the back of the church, she shrieked and threw herself into his arms. He laughed and twirled her around.

Lacey took Joe's arm without looking at him, and they started down the aisle. She looked down and saw her handle trembling. She used all her willpower to steady it. He was not going to get to her.

She stood next to him in the receiving line, and said all the right things, but on the inside she was screaming. She wanted to sleep, she wanted to run, and she wanted away from Joe McIntyre .

After the guests had all left to go to the reception hall, the wedding party returned to the front of the church for portraits. Lacey sat in the corner of a pew, watching as the maid of honor helped to arrange Oriana 's train. Every five minutes or so, Donnie would grab Oriana and kiss her, like he couldn't believe she was his. It made Lacey smile.

"So, Miss Scarlett, trying to pull a fast one on us last night, huh?" Jordan chuckled, sitting next to her. She groaned inside. She hadn't realized she would have to live down the night before.

"I tried," she said, smiling weakly.

"Sounds like you and Joe had some fun," Danny teased , smiling at her. Her face turned red as she jumped to her feet.

"Guess again!" She told him, and took off down the aisle, unable to stand one more minute. Jordan ran after her.

"Lacey! Jon! Come on guys, we need to get these pictures done!" Donnie yelled after them.

"Let them go, D," Joe mumbled. "Let her move onto the next poor bastard."

Everyone turned and looked at him.

Lacey fled to the women's room, but Jordan pushed his way in before she could lock the door.

"Go away!" She screamed, sobbing. Tears soon spotted the silk top of the midnight blue gown she wore.

He remained silent, but pulled her into his arms. She fought his hold, but soon relaxed and cried on his shoulder. When her shoulders finally stopped shaking, he pulled back to look at her.

"You look like shit," he told her. She gasped in shock, then took a look at herself in the mirror. She started to laugh. Her makeup had run, and she had raccoon eyes.

"Thanks for the compliment," she replied dryly dabbing at her eyes with a paper towel.

"You are always beautiful to me," he whispered, cupping her face in his hands. He leaned toward her.

"Don't," she murmured, knowing she didn't mean it. His mouth captured hers, and she moaned. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled him closer.

"Lacey, don't let him get to you. We'll make him pay," he said grimly. She was surprised at the anger in his voice, and the surprise showed on her face. "I love Joe,like a brother Lacey. . But I cannot allow him to treat other people this way." He pushed a tendril of her hair away from her face. "Especially people I love."