Out of the Blue

Charleston South Carolina, Charleston Marriott – 2 June 2022.

Finn Owen Rory O'Malley is standing in the hotel ballroom at his 10-year Burke High School class reunion, a recently divorced father of 3 kiddos thinking how the hell did it all go wrong when the hair on his neck stands on end. The voice of his archrival from high school enters the ballroom trying to draw everyone’s attention to himself. God, he annoyed Finn when they were in school; it hadn’t changed much. They competed in everything from academics, sports, girls, cars, etc.  Finn came out on top at every turn beginning their sophomore year. Before that, it was all Nathan Stephen Murphy – affectionately known to Finn as the mouth from the south.

Finn was talking with his best friend Stephanie Marie Sullivan O’Reilly who was also his best man at his wedding to Elizabeth Harper O’Hanlon. They had all graduated the same year, she and her husband (Sean Owen O’Reilly) were Finn’s flotation devices, as his marriage went down the drain two years ago.

His wife Beth had decided she was bi-sexual and wanted to play with another lady in their relationship. Finn was not overly interested but went all in as he was head over heels in love with Beth. In the end, Beth was not bi-sexual, she was a lesbian and is now living with her wife in Paris. She walked out 2 years ago and left Finn with 1-year-old triplets – identical twin boys and a girl (Owen, Rory & Harper).

They were now Finn’s reason for existing. Not yet 27 (yeah, he graduated a year early), 3 kids, and luckily for him set for life with the sale of my internet start-up. He was a full-time dad and part-time consultant for the company he sold – the fees he charged paid for their lifestyle while the funds from the sale were growing in investment accounts he managed.

Finn was watching Steph’s eyes as she tracked someone behind him, he was a split second too late to escape when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Uggghhh.

Nate – “Hey Finn. How the hell are you? It has been way too long. You look really good. Sorry to hear about you and Beth.”

Finn reluctantly had to turn around and face Nate, he took his hand and shook it out of politeness – “I’m good. How are you doing these days? I have lost touch with most of the class since I moved after college.”

Nate smiled and realized he had not let go of Finn’s hand and he quickly withdrew his hand – “I’ve been good. Working for…”

The hostess of the evening, prom queen – Heather Marshal came over the speakers – “Welcome home class of 2012. Tonight is our mixer event, we will have some awards, conversation and karaoke, Finn and Stephanie you have been signed up for the first slot. Those of us that have stayed in the area miss you all so much.”

She droned on for 10 minutes about our time in high school, that there was a picture booth, everyone was expected to participate, hors d’oeuvres would be out in a few minutes and the bar was now open. Nate was still there and waiting to continue their conversation. Heather was going through the awards from senior year of high school as Sean returned with 4 glasses of red wine, Finn didn’t even realize he had walked away.

Sean whispered in Finn’s ear – ‘You really look like you could use this. By the way, stop being a dick and talk to Nate. He seems perfectly nice and Stephanie dated him back in the day, so he can’t be all bad.’

Finn laughed out loud, most of those in attendance looked directly at him as Heather was now talking about those that we had lost – “I’m sorry everyone, I spilled wine and thought of the time Bobby had the bonfire party at his folks’ place. Everyone in our class was there we were all having a great time and Bobby started his comedy routine – it was bloody awful but we all laughed because he was in his element and having such a good time. What a tragedy – here’s to Bobby.”

The rest of the class echoed – “Here’s to Bobby”. Heather glared at Finn but continued with her opening remarks.

Sean leaned into Finn – ‘Nice recovery.’ Sean received an elbow to the ribs.

Nate leaned in on the other side – ‘Why did you laugh when Sean mentioned that Steph and I dated?’ As Nate whispered into Finn’s ear a shiver raced from his ear down his body to his cock, which started to harden. Finn was caught off guard and more than a bit disturbed.

Sean asked quietly – ‘Yeah, you still haven’t answered that question and the other question I have for you is why do you dislike him so much?’

Finn smiled, grabbed Stephanie and headed to the stage – karaoke had started, they were being summoned to the stage and told that two songs were being loaded for them and after that, the sign-up list next to the machine would be followed.

In route, Steph asked Finn what the hell was going on with Sean and Nate. Finn chuckled and indicated he had no idea but he was no longer just annoyed at Nate, Sean had made the list. Steph concurred, that she was not in the mood for her husband to be annoying her best friend from the time they could walk.

The two made it to the stage and cheek kissed Heather. Finn whispered an apology for the interruption earlier, which elicited a kiss on the lips from Heather with tongue. There was a shout from the room – “QB, get your lips off your blind sides wife.” Finn pulled away from Heather’s lips – “Bobby, you know the QB gets all the girls even yours. Ok, folks let’s see what Heather has picked for us to...”

Before Finn could finish his sentence Steph chimed in with – “Oh hell no…” She walked over to the machine and typed in two different songs and queued them up. She whispered into Finn’s ear, ‘you go lead on both songs…’

The music for Little Big Towns’, ‘Pontoon’ came on and Finn started in… Everyone started singing along and dancing. The next song that came on was Tim McGraw’s ‘Humble and Kind’. Once they were done with that song, the DJ with the karaoke machine came over his microphone – “The class of 2012 has spoken, they would like the two of you to continue to sing and the next song that is requested is – ‘Let’s Make Love’ by Faith Hill with Tim McGraw.”

Finn looked at Steph and she was ready to walk but he grabbed her hand and drug her back to center stage – “Ok so this is how it will go if we are going to do this, we will take the suggestion from the list but will veto anything that we don’t want to sing and we will only sing 10 more songs, that’s it. Deal?” Everyone readily agreed and the music for let’s make love came on. But Steph didn’t start singing. Finn held up his hand – “Steph when the music is a female lead you need to sing and I’ll back you up and vice versa.”

Steph shook her head – “No deal, you agreed to this shit show so you take lead on EVERY song and if you need to re-work the words for a male lead then you do that on the fly, we all know you can. If you won’t do that then I’m out.”

Finn started to step off the stage but was met by his classmates and not allowed down. Finn – “Looks like we are at an impasse, who’s up next?” he walked to the side of the stage, handed the microphone to the DJ, stepped off the stage and left the building.

He got in his rental car and headed back to his parent’s house for an early night. He thought he might even get a quick minute with his kiddos before they went to sleep.

Steph standing there holding her phone to her ear listening to nothing. Sean interrupted her – “Steph, what did he say and why are you so quiet?”

Steph pulled the phone from her ear – “He didn’t answer.”

Finn pulled onto the street he grew up on, houses built in the late 1700s lined the street. He pulled up to a 4-story brick home and tuned into the motor court. He sat and looked at the old mansion his parents had inherited from his father’s parents and so on down the line. He was set for life before he made his billions in the internet game. Maybe it was time for him to move closer to home. He had nothing back in Washington that was truly keeping him put.  Beth had signed away all her parental rights and obligations 2 years ago and had not contacted him once since.

Finn jumped on Zillow looking for a house for sale on the beach. He was caught completely off guard – his parents were selling their home on Kiawah Island. He sent a note to the real estate agent via an email account he had set up to keep himself anonymous. He offered 16M cash for the home and all non-personal items in the home, a 30-day close and suggested that the agent take only 3% of the commission given he would not need an agent.

He went to his property on Zillow and listed it for sale at 23M, he had just updated the home and had photos on his phone. The furniture and boat were negotiable. Finn took a deep breath and felt excited and jazzed about the future for the first time in 2 years. He was moving home and he was going to build a new life for himself and the three little cherubs upstairs in bed.

He got out of his rental and answered his phone – “Hey Steph, what’s up?”

There was a sharp intake of air on the phone – “Really that’s all you have to say to me after walking out on the first night of our reunion?”

Finn laughed – “I could have answered, what the fuck do you want you treacherous bitch, but I thought that might be a touch harsh. You know you fucked up tonight. Don’t you dare interrupt me. You didn’t want to do karaoke, so you tried to make me do all the work. When I wouldn’t and told you I was done you got indignant. I’m not your husband, I’m not your child and I don’t have to put up with your bitchiness when you don’t get your way. I did that for too many years with Beth and I’m certainly not going to do it for someone that I don’t get to have make-up sex with.”

Stephanie blew out a breath of air – “Point taken. I’m really sorry about being a bitch tonight and all those years ago when I dated Nate. Are you up for a quiet drink with us, including Nate? By the way, who says make-up sex is off the table? Ouch, Sean, it was a joke. You are such a pain in my ass sometimes.”

Finn chuckled – “Let’s meet at the Blind Tiger Pub on Broad St. I’ll be there in 10 minutes. And yes, if he promises not to be such a loud obnoxious idiot he can come too.” Finn hung up and went into the house to change and say goodnight to the kiddos.

His mama greeted him with a kiss – “You are home early. What did Steph do to piss you off?”

Finn smiled at his mama – “You know me too well. She was being a pain in the ass and it reminded me of Beth so I snapped a bit and left. I’m changing and meeting them up at the pub on Broad. Will you watch the kiddos until I get home?”

Quinn smiled – “I had planned on watching them until you leave for Seattle in a few days so yes, I will watch them tonight. I love you Bug.”

Finn kissed his mama’s cheek and ran for the steps and made it into the room without waking any of the kids. He kissed each cheek and then made his way to his room to change into jeans and a t-shirt. As he was leaving the house his mama hugged him – “Where did you get that fine ass of yours? Mine is not that round and your father has a flat ass. If you weren’t my son, I would be chasing you around hoping I would be seen as a MILF.”

Finn was shocked – “OMG mama, too damn much information. I do love you but where is my sweet southern mother?”

Finn walked into the Pub 15 minutes later and saw that his friends and Nate were at a table in the corner. He made his way to the table, kissed Steph’s cheek as she apologized yet again hugged Sean and shook Nate’s hand. Steph noticed that Nate looked very flustered.

Steph was sensing that Nate had something more than friendship on his mind when it came to Finn. Finn was so anti-Nate that he would never consider it. She knew that Finn’s sexuality was fluid, he had slept with a couple of guys in college but when he met Beth he was gone. She hated that bitch with a passion. She had to do something to get Finn over his complete disdain for Nate.

So, Steph being Steph she went in with both guns blazing – “So Nate, why were you such a dick to Finn in school and don’t pretend you weren’t we were there with you?”

Sean chuckled – “My wife the diplomat.”

Nate smiled although through red cheeks – “No, she is right I was a dick to Finn from the time I got hair on my dick. It was either be a dick to him or have everyone find out I’m gay, so being young and stupid I went with the obnoxious dick routine. Since then, I have grown up and realized it’s okay if people don’t like me but it’s not ok if I am not my authentic self.”

Finn was laughing – “So Numbnuts Nate is gay, had a crush on me back in middle school and instead of owning it, he decides to alienate one of the other guys in our class that knew what he was going through. What a fucking moron. The moniker Numbnuts certainly fits.” Finn turned to the waitress – “I would like to have 4 bottles of the Robert Hall Cab as soon as you can get them here.” Finn handed her his Black Amex.

Sean and Nate were sitting there with their mouths hanging open. Steph reprimanded them both – “Boys you will attract flies if you continue to sit there with your mouths hanging open. You are both such idiots, it has always been clear that Finn’s sexuality is fluid and that he likes boys and girls both.”

Sean was the first to speak – “You’ve seen me naked, that kinda weirds me out.”

Finn laughed at him – “Dude you are not my type. You are too tall and if I’m being honest more than a little soft around the middle.”

Nate chuckled for the first time – “Ouch. Finn ever the diplomat. Ouch, what the hell was that for?”

Finn was trying to figure out where to start – “Well asshole, do you want me to go through the shit things you said and did to me as we were growing up in chronological or distaste order? Rhetorical question keep your mouth shut.

You were vile in middle school. You would make fun of me, shove me into lockers and in general be a total pain in the ass.”

Sean interrupted – “Finn I find that hard to believe. You are what 6’2”, 190 lbs., hung like a horse and fucking ripped. I can’t imagine this 5’11” dude bullying you.”

The waitress returned with the four bottles, Finn’s card and poured a large glass for Finn. The other three she left empty. Steph just shook her head and poured the other’s wine as well – “I guess she likes what she sees sitting there.”

Finn shook his head – “I was the smallest kid in my class until 10th grade. I grew 9 inches over the summer and finally hit puberty. My dick was known as ‘baby boy’ by my classmates, thanks to Nate here until we came back to school that fall. It didn’t help that I am a year younger than my classmates. This asshole was the leader of the terror gang.

Anything academic I kicked everyone’s ass. Sports my freshman year was a nightmare but after my growth spurt and packing on a bunch of muscle, I not only was at the top of the class academically but also from a sports perspective. That’s when Numbnuts here tried to be less of an asshole but given 3 years of bullying it was my turn to return the favor.”

Nate stopped the hate train – “Steph, Mardi the waitress has good taste. Finn, I’m sorry I was a total and utter dick to you. All I wanted to do was kiss you and be near you but I was afraid no one would understand and that my old man would beat the shit out of me if he found out.

Turns out I was partly right; he did put me in the hospital when I told him right after graduation. Let me finish, please. What he did was not right by a long shot but it helped me own who I am. I will not make apologies for being gay, I didn’t choose this, I was born this way and I’m good with it. I’m just sorry that I lost 17 years of friendship that I could have had.

Finn, you said that you were one of the guys that would understand who else likes playing with dick, ouch?”

Steph smacked him in the head – “You must have been missing the day they tuned everyone else’s ‘gaydar’, It was/is so obvious. One of them yelled at Finn to keep his lips off his wife, Bobby is bi-sexual and he and Finn…”

Finn stepped in – “Steph do you want me to recount your sexual encounters right now? No, I thought not.”

Finn poured a second large glass of wine – “So Nate you are awfully quiet. I have to be honest I do kind of like the lack of volume from you. When you walked into the hotel tonight you announced yourself loud enough the dead could have heard you.”

Nate was not listening as he was trying to wrap his head around the fact that Finn was ‘fluid’, what the hell did that mean? Did he stick his dick into anything and everything or was it more like love the one you’re with? Then to find out he and Bobby – Star QB and his blind side lineman, holy crap.

Finn stopped trying to engage/needle Nate and turned to Sean – “So how has the shit show been for you, Sean? I for one am so glad I’m back home and have committed to two more days of fun and frivolity.”

Sean was smiling and trying hard not to laugh but was failing miserably – “Finn, I love you like a brother but you are wound up tight tonight. Maybe you need to take Nate here to a hotel and fuck his brains out.”

Finn and Steph both spit wine out at that comment and Nate just sat there with the same blank expression on his face. Finn grabbed Sean’s left nipple and twisted it hard – “Maybe I’ll take you to that hotel room and fuck some sense into you. I’m sure Steph could do with a night out from under your soft belly… Ouch.”

It was Steph’s turn to try and not bust a gut – “Finn, not everyone can be as fit as you but if you want, I’ll loan Sean to you for the night. You can do what you will with him.”

Before Finn could answer Sean was pleading – “Steph, please don’t pimp me out to him. I’ve seen him naked and that thing between his legs would ruin me for life. Please Steph, tell him it was a joke.”

Steph ran her hand across her husband’s cock – it was hard – “You dirty little shit. Finn is turning you on isn’t he.” Sean was beat red – “I don’t know, maybe, shit, yes but I am not going anywhere with him. I’m telling you I want to be able to walk in the morning.”

Finn sat back and took a sip of wine as his phone pinged him. He looked and had two messages. He began to read the first one.

‘Mr. Finn, thank you for the offer on the home on Flyway Dr. I have spoken to the seller and they are amenable to most of your terms. The price is a bit lower than they are willing to take, I am cutting the commission to 3% and with that, they are willing to come down to 17.2M.’

Finn immediately responded –

‘Send over the contract and I will sign it immediately. I will have the 17.2M wired to an escrow account here in Charleston on Monday morning.’

As he went back to his messages, he now had three additional emails –

The first was from a buyer offering 20.3M for the house, furniture and boat.

The second was from a real estate agent asking if he would cover a 3% commission.

The third was from a buyer offering 25.5M for the house, 1M for the furnishings and art and 1.5M for the Cantius Yacht and a 30-day close.

Finn responded to the third email first – and agreed to the terms except for two pieces of art that were not his to sell, they are his mother’s that were on loan to a museum in Seattle and recently returned to his home.

Almost as soon as the email was sent, it was replied to – ‘done deal. Send me the escrow account numbers on Monday and I will wire the 28M, is there any way we would be able to close earlier’

Finn smiled – ‘yes. I will be back in Seattle Tuesday and will get all the personal stuff packed and out. I will commit to having the house packed and cleaned by Monday, 13 June 2022. Will that work for you?’

Immediately an email came back – ‘Absolutely, I read that you just finished a complete home remodel and have the inspections from that so my partner and I want to get in so we can begin enjoying retirement. The home is stunning, you and your wife did a great job.’

Finn chuckled – ‘The remodel was all me. My wife left me for her new wife so I am moving back home to be closer to family. I will make sure that things are set up for you and your partner. Have a great night.’

He then sent a note to the agent here in South Carolina and asked if the sellers would be willing to close on Tuesday the 14th? He would round the purchase price to 17.5M if they could accommodate.

Finn then responded to the first two emails letting them know the home had been sold. He updated Zillow and then closed his phone down. When he looked up, Steph, Sean and Nate were just looking at Finn – “What? Can’t a guy check his mail and conduct some business?”

Steph smiled and nodded – “I wasn’t sure what you were doing but whatever it was I knew it was making you exceptionally happy. I thought maybe you had a pocket pussy for your cock and were controlling it with your phone.”

Sean snorted – “That is my wife, the refined and loving Stephanie.”

Before things got out of hand, Finn stepped in – “I was just conducting a little bit of real estate business. I sold my home on Mercer Island and bought a home on Kiawah and made an 8-figure profit.”

It was Nate’s turn to spit out some wine – “You just made 10M+ in a matter of 30 minutes?”

Finn smiled – “Technically it was 13 minutes but who’s counting?”

Nate shook his head – “Fuck me, that’s ridiculous. Hold the damn phone, you are moving back here to South Carolina? I thought you loved it in the northwest.”

Finn thought for a moment before responding – “I do love the northwest but after the row, with Steph tonight and sitting outside my parent’s home I realized that I have only one tie to the NW and that is Steph and Sean. I sold my business, my wife left me and the rest is just stuff. My parents, my sister, my grandparents and a whole slew of cousins are all within 3 hours of Charleston.