Chapter 48

Lonnie eyed the girls as he and Jo edged around the crowd, heading for the front door. More people lined the sidewalk leading to the townhouse, and one or two people seemed to know them; or rather, recognized them as athletes, because Jo sure didn’t know who anyone was. But he returned the greetings with nods and waves, a “Hey, man” here and a “Sup” there, once a classic handclasp of a fellow baller that left him feeling chuffed. If someone had found a football, maybe he could round up a basketball at some point and get a game of 21 going out on the court later.

Short but steep stairs led from the sidewalk up to the stoop, and at first glance, the steps appeared to be overflowing with women. As Jo got closer, he realized the girls all swooned around a man strumming a guitar. He was a long-haired guy with soulful eyes and a pretty pout, eyes shut, a joint dangling from the corner of his lips. So there was more than just beer here, as well.