“Hi,” they all say in unison. It would be cute if I weren’t certain they’d rehearsed it.
“I’m Harper Richardson,” I say, clicking my pen a few times out of habit. “I know Jean informed you all that I would be in touch. I’m very excited to be working with you guys. I’d love to chat for a bit and get to know each of you because, I’ll be honest, triplet athletes playing different sports and all looking for pro teams…wow.” I shake my head, marveling at the boys. “This doesn’t happen all the time. So, we have a lot to cover today, especially if your dream is to be on teams near each other. So first let’s talk about draft projections.”
Shepherd adjusts his backwards hat. “Hi Harper. I’m Shepherd and I’m hearing top ten. Maybe top five.”
“She knows who you are dipshit,” Killian mutters around his protein bar. “And that’s because youaretop five. Tell her you threw a seventy-yard bomb in practice yesterday.”
“It was fifty-eight,” Bishop corrects.
Shepherd scowls. “It felt like seventy.”
I clear my throat. “All very interesting and yes, Shepherd, you’re getting legitimate first-round buzz. Several teams are circling, but the Portland Rush are paying the most attention.”
Three sets of eyebrows shoot up.
Okay this is good.
“We could live together again,” Killian says, horrified and delighted at the same time. “We’ll be like a sitcom from hell.”
“I’m not rooming with you two slobs,” Bishop deadpans.
Shepherd leans forward to look at his brother. “We’d get our own places, man.”
“Speak for yourself. I’m broke,” Killian says, popping the rest of his protein bar into his mouth.
“That’s because you spend your money on tattoos and limited-edition cleats,” Shepherd fires back.
I tap the table firmly. “Gentlemen.”
All three straighten like I barkedattention.
“Now, Killian and Bishop,” I continue, “the Portland Lagers have expressed interest in both of you. They’re in a rebuilding phase. They want strong battery chemistry, and let’s face it, you two are basically a packaged deal and exactly what they’re looking for.”
“Like a two-for-one sale,” Bishop says proudly.
“Like a combo meal,” Killian adds.
Shepherd sighs. “You guys are gonna compare yourselves to hamburgers again, aren’t you?”
“Hell yeah. I’m the salty fries,” Killian announces.
“Then I’m the big ass slab of meat,” Bishop counters.
“Fuck that,” Killian shoots back. “You’re the side salad.”
“Enough,” Shepherd says, rubbing his temples. “Shut up and listen to what Harper has to say.”
All three instantly fall silent.
God bless their mother.
They’ll mature with time, right?
I mean…right?
“Here’s the deal,” I say, leaning forward. “Portland is the only city with both an NFL team and an MLB team actively scouting you right now. If everything aligns, I have the best chance at getting all three of you in the same place.”
Shepherd’s eyes widen. “Really? You really think you can do that?”
