David Connor

Because of his severe stutter, Atticus never fulfills his childhood wish to make a joyful noise onstage at Christmastime. Now going by AC, the same problem isolates him with only his cat Spud for company as he forgoes the holiday season and personal, meaningful relationships altogether.<br><br>On their way to pass the yuletide in Mexico, AC and Spud encounter a stranded band who call themselves The 12 Drummers Drumming. Though AC tries to resist the urge to help, he’s somehow convinced to drive them back up north in his van to ensure they make their Christmas Eve gig.<br><br>AC immediately rates each guy, figuring on a one in twelve chance to at least score a holiday hookup. As he spends time with each, he sees them in less superficial terms. Sparks ignite, and by the time Christmas Eve arrives, AC has a whole new reason to believe in Christmas magic and romance.

12 Drummers Thumbing

“J-j-j-joy t-t-t-to th-the w-w-w-world.”


His brothers started laughing before the tape could go any farther, all five, Gabriel, Bartholomew, Sullivan, Emmanuel, and Montgomery.


“Spit it out, boy!” Gabriel laughed the hardest, when Atticus threw the stupid toy against the floor and ran up the stairs to his room.


When AC came back to 2018 and highway 35, Rohan was tapping on his lap. Rat-a-tat. Rat-a-tat. Rat-a-tat-tat-tat.


AC did it back, drumming on the steering wheel. Rat-a-tat. Rat-a-tat. Rat-a-tat-tat-tat.


Immediately, Rohan offered something longer. Rat-a-tat-tat. Pause. Rat-a-tat-tat. Pause. Rat-a-tat. Ta-tat. Ta-tat-tat-tat.


Rat-a-tat-tat. Pause. Rat-a-tat-tat. Pause. Rat-a-tat. Ta-tat. Ta-tat-tat-tat. AC echoed it once more.


Chapter 13