“Mr. Walker, thank you so much for agreeing to meet with me today,” McKenna stated as soon as Sawyer Walker stepped into the small room she had commandeered in order to conduct the interview. After informing Tag that she had been granted an interview with the infamous playboy, Tag had insisted on joining her for the trip to Coyote Ridge. When she mentioned that she would be staying at the Alluring Indulgence Resort during her time away, the frown he’d started with had turned into a wicked grin.
And now, here she was.
“Mr. Walker’s my father. Call me Sawyer, please,” Sawyer said with a mischievous smirk as he reached out and shook her hand. “I’m surprised your ol’ man agreed to leave you alone in here with me.”
McKenna grinned, recalling Tag’s blustering when she mentioned she was going to do the interview alone. “Men. What do you expect? Please, have a seat,” McKenna added, gesturing toward the empty chair across from her.
Sawyer laughed. “So you’ve decided to interrogate me, huh?”
“I’m not sure that’s how I would refer to it.”
“No?” Sawyer cocked a nicely shaped eyebrow. “Well, I’ll let you know when we’re done.”
McKenna nodded, gesturing toward the recorder on the table. “I need to record this so that I ensure I get all of the details correct.”
“No worries. Won’t be the first time a woman’s gotten me on tape.”
McKenna chuckled as she hit the button to record.
McKenna: Let’s start out simple. Tell me a little about you.
Sawyer:What is it you wanna know?
McKenna: How old are you? When’s your birthday? Are you the youngest or the oldest brother? Those types of things.
Sawyer: *smirks as he leans back in his chair, crossing one ankle over the opposite knee* I turned thirty-four in May. Travis is the only one older than I am. Anything else you wanna know, you’re gonna have to be a little more specific.
McKenna: *smiles* Be careful what you wish for.
McKenna: Okay, next question. Which of your brothers are you closest to?
Sawyer: *eyebrows scrunch briefly* I’d have to say I’m close to all of them. For different reasons. Kaleb, Travis and I work close together, always have. As for Ethan, well, you’ve probably heard the story there. I’ve always kept an eye on him. Braydon and Brendon, well, they sometimes need a little guidance, so I tend to keep tabs on them. Not that they appreciate it, but I think they’ve all accepted that I’ll stick my nose in when necessary. And Zane… Well, he’s Zane. If someone ain’t watchin’ out for him, then he’s probably gettin’ in trouble.
McKenna: What’s it like being a playboy?
Sawyer: *face lights up from his wicked grin* Who said I’m a playboy?”
McKenna: Nice try. I think it’s a little known fact that you’ve got a way with the ladies.
Sawyer: Maybe. *winks* But I’m not one to kiss and tell.
McKenna: *laughs* Right. Why don’t I believe that?
McKenna: What size boot do you wear?
Sawyer: *glances down at boot, then back up to McKenna* Fourteen.
McKenna: What did you want to be when you were a kid?
Sawyer: *sobers* I wanted to be my father. Have you met him?
McKenna: No, but I’ve heard a lot about him.
Sawyer: My father is the greatest man in the entire world. I think it’s a testament to a father’s strength of character that his kids want to be just like him. I admire him. The way he has cared for his family, never once doubting us. No, I’m not sayin’ he’s always agreed with everything we’ve done, but he’s been there when we needed him. I’m not sure I could ever fill his shoes, but that’s always been my goal in life. To put my family first, always.
McKenna: *speechless as she stares at Sawyer for a moment*
McKenna: *swallows and glanced down at the notes in her hand* Okay, here’s something for you. Your brother mentioned seeing you on the side of a road, half naked, holding a sign saying “Will work for sex”… Do you have anything to say about this?
Sawyer: *signature grin tilts the corner of his lips* Not much to say. Stick around town long enough and I’m sure you’ll see me do it again.
McKenna: Don’t you think you’re a little old to be holding up signs on the side of the road?
Sawyer: I don’t think you’re ever too old to do what you wanna do. Age is just a number.
McKenna: Do you ever plan to grow up?
Sawyer: *narrows eyes slightly* Darlin’, I’m grown up in all the ways that count. I take care of my own, I don’t tread on other people’s business unless they’re directly affecting someone I care about. I believe in living life to its fullest. I’ll never apologize for that.
McKenna: Do you want children?
Sawyer: Yes.
McKenna: Care to elaborate?
Sawyer: What is there to say? I want kids. Plain and simple.
McKenna: It’s been announced that you have adopted a dog? What can you tell us about that?
Sawyer: *face lights up* I did. His name’s Buster. Maybe you can meet him later. He’s a real chick magnet.
McKenna: Why do I get the feeling you didn’t need help in that department?
Sawyer: *winks*
McKenna: It’s been said that you’re the fun-loving brother. How does your personality clash with that of your brothers?
Sawyer: Our personalities don’t clash. If anything, I’d say we complement each other. *smiles* For example, Travis is an asshole, I’m not. Zane is a trouble-maker, I’m not. Kaleb is too serious, I’m not. The twins… Well, I don’t even know what to say about them, but I assure you, I’m not like them. *laughs*
McKenna: Are you ready for some personal questions?
Sawyer: Darlin’, if you think those questions you asked aren’t personal, you might wanna rethink just what we’re doin’ here.
McKenna: Fair. But these are gonna dig just a little deeper.
Sawyer: Hit me.
McKenna: *briefly reviews paper in front of her then meets Sawyer’s gaze* What is the first thing you notice about a woman?
Sawyer: *expression turns serious* How smart she is.
McKenna: *laughs* That’s the first thing you notice? Seriously?
Sawyer: No, but it sounded good, didn’t it? Next question.
McKenna: Do you have a non-sexual talent that no one knows about?
Sawyer: Making signs. *smirks*
McKenna: Are there any body piercings on you that we should know about? If not, would you ever consider getting one?
Sawyer: Who’s ‘we’? And if I had any, why would I tell you? If you get lucky enough to see me naked, you’d know firsthand. And no, that’s not an offer, doll, just a fact. *smirks*
McKenna: *laughs* You’re something else, you know that?
Sawyer: That’s what I’ve been told.
McKenna: It’s been brought to my attention that there is a particular young woman you seem to have a keen interest in. Kennedy Endsley? Can you tell us anything about her?
Sawyer: Whoever brought that to your attention is mighty fucking nosey, aren’t they? *laughs*
McKenna: So I take it that it’s true.
Sawyer: I might have a little interest in her, sure.
McKenna: So what’s stopping you from going after her?
Sawyer: Who says I’m not?
McKenna: You seem like the kind of guy who gets what he wants. I just figured if you really wanted her, you’d have her by now.
Sawyer: *stares directly into McKenna’s eyes* Just like my father says, the best things in life don’t come easy. And if they did, they wouldn’t necessarily be worth it. Let’s just say that I like a challenge.
McKenna: What would you do if you saw Kennedy show up at the club?
Sawyer: I’ll let you know when that happens.
McKenna: When? Not if?
Sawyer: Never say never, darlin’. *smiles*
McKenna: Okay, last one. What is one thing you’ve done that your family won’t let you live down?
Sawyer: There’re are plenty of things I’ve done in my life that my brothers give me shit about. That’s what brothers do. As far as anything serious, we don’t hold things against each other, if that’s what you’re asking. Sure, I’ve done some things in the past that I might do differently today, knowing what I know now. But that’s all part of building character. What we did in the past makes us who we are today. But I don’t live in the past. I live in the now. Today. That’s all I’ve got. And if I’m lucky enough for tomorrow, then you can ask me the question again then, because I’m sure I’ll have done something today that they’ll want to give me shit about. That’s the way it works.
