Forgotten Lyrics: A Watersong Story Read Free

of the docks. Miraculously, John managed to get out to the open water of Anthemusa Bay without crashing into other boats.
    As soon as he could, John kicked the boat into high speed, making Zoë squeal with delight. Since John had handled the docks okay, Daniel relaxed a bit and went to sit down in the backseat next to Mackenzie.
    The wind whipped over them, blowing Mackenzie’s auburn hair out behind her. She stared straight ahead, and when Daniel glanced over at her, he couldn’t tell if she was enjoying the ride or not.
    Before tonight, he’d never even met her, and he’d only spoken a few words to her at the party before they left. He was here because of John, and she was here because of her friend Zoë. They had that much in common, at least.
    The boat lurched to the side, and Daniel slid across the bench into her.
    “Sorry,” he said and tried to scoot away.
    “It’s okay.” She smiled demurely at him, and then neither of them said anything for a few minutes. “It’s cold back here.”
    Mackenzie was wearing a light jacket, but it was freezing out on the boat. Daniel looked over at her and noticed her shivering a little.
    “Here.” He pulled his hooded sweatshirt up over his head and held it out to her. “You can use my hoodie.”
    “Won’t you get cold?” Mackenzie asked, looking at his T-shirt.
    “I’ll be fine,” he insisted.
    “Thank you.” She put on his sweatshirt, then settled in the seat next to him. “So, you’re John’s little brother?”
    He nodded. “Yeah.”
    “You look alike,” Mackenzie commented. “He’s, like, a shorter, stockier version of you.”
    Daniel and John shared the same unkempt dirty blond hair and the same hazel eyes. Daniel was muscular, but he was leaner than his brother. John was broad-shouldered and bordering on husky. They were both quick to laugh, although John may have been a little bit quicker.
    “It’s funny, because you’re taller than him,” she said.
    Mackenzie brushed a hair out of her eyes, and Daniel realized that she was rather beautiful. Something about that simple gesture—the way her slender fingers brushed up against the pale skin of her forehead—disarmed him, and it took him a second to answer her question.
    “I had a growth spurt last year,” Daniel said. “And now I’m six-foot.”
    “How old are you?” Mackenzie asked.
    “Fifteen.”
    She narrowed her eyes, almost as if she didn’t believe it. “I thought you were older than that. I think it’s because you have mature eyes.”
    “Thanks. I think.” He smiled. “How old are you?”
    “Eighteen,” Mackenzie said proudly. “I’m a senior.”
    “Cool,” Daniel said and did his best to look equally proud. “I’m a freshman.”
    “You’re cute,” Mackenzie said with a hint of sadness in her voice. “But it would never work out between us. I don’t date younger guys.”
    “Neither do I,” Daniel replied.
    She raised her eyebrow. “So you only date older girls?”
    “No, I just don’t date younger guys,” he quipped.
    Mackenzie smiled but didn’t laugh. “Funny.”
    “Have you been friends with Zoë for a long time?” Daniel asked.
    “Since grade school.”
    He looked ahead to where Zoë and John were talking and laughing. “So does it ever get easier?”
    “What?” Mackenzie asked.
    “Being the sober one.” Daniel looked back at her.
    “Well, I’m not completely sober, but…” She sighed and considered it. “I don’t know if it gets easier. Most of the time it’s fun, but sometimes I do get sick of being the reasonable one while everybody else has fun.”
    They’d gone farther out in the bay, almost to the point where it became the ocean. Daniel was about to suggest that John turn around, but John made the same decision himself and turned the boat back. They’d been zooming past Bernie’s Island, and John began driving in fast circles around it.
    Bernie’s Island was a small island, just big enough for a cabin, a boathouse, and lots of