Read Ignite (Legacy) for Free Online Page B

know it hurts.”
    “Can we up my meds? Give me a little relief?”
    Dr. Stone sighed and sat back at the computer, going through the screens again. “I really think you’re at your max on the opioids. I can’t safely prescribe any more without putting you at risk for overdose.”
    “It hurts,” Dad snapped, startling me. He never showed his angry face outside the house. No, that side of him was reserved for Adeline and me, of course.
    “I know,” Dr. Stone said, leaning back in his chair. “Maybe it’s time to discuss other options.”
    “Something stronger?” Dad suggested.
    For the love. If they got Dad any higher, he’d be an astronaut.
    “No, but there are new methods out there. Ways of going directly after the nerves.” He tilted his head. “And we should look at your weight. Other patients with this same fusion live relatively active, normal lives. Yes, they’re still in pain—that is absolutely real, but we’ve been able to decrease pain meds by natural means.”
    “Well, I’m not interested in that. I want it to stop hurting. Now. So can you help me?”
    Dr. Stone looked at me, and I dropped my eyes. The repercussions from outing Dad would be disastrous at home. “Avery, can I talk with you outside?”
    "Why do you want to talk to her alone?” Dad questioned.
    “Just some caregiver stuff. She still has your medical power of attorney, right?”
    “Yes,” Dad grumbled.
    “Then there shouldn’t be an issue, right? Unless there’s something you don’t want me to know?”
    “It’s fine,” Dad answered.
    Shit.
    I didn’t need to look at Dad to know that his eyes bore into me. Hell, I could feel the heat from here.
    Dr. Stone shut the door behind us as we stepped into the hallway. “How is he, really?” he asked.
    Angry. Drunk. Verbally abusive. Legally Adeline’s guardian.
    “Fine.”
    “Avery?” He gave me the Dad tone he’d probably used on his daughter Michelle…Michelle who’d gone to college in Texas after we’d both graduated. Michelle who, no doubt, had a life.
    I could lie, send Dad further down the rabbit hole. Or I could take the smallest step to force some change into his life. If not for my own good, then Addy’s.
    “He’s angry,” I said, my eyes dropping to the floor as I betrayed the only parent I had left. “He drinks too much, he won’t get off the couch, and the farthest he’ll go is for the remote unless we’re coming here on our monthly trip to refill his meds.”
    “Jesus,” he muttered.
    “You asked,” I said, raising my eyes. “He’s destroying himself.”
    “And taking you down with him,” he noted.
    I shook my head. “It’s not about me. But it is about Adeline.”
    He nodded slowly.
    “I need you to keep this between us,” I whispered.
    He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Okay. Thank you for being honest with me.”
    I took a deep breath and hardened my defenses as we walked back in. Between this and the bombshell of going to Colorado that I’d just dropped on him, I might need some of those pain meds for the headache all his yelling would give me.
    “Well, Avery says nothing much has changed,” Dr. Stone forced a smile. “We’ll keep you on the same dose you’re at. I don’t want you in pain, but let’s explore some of those other treatments, shall we? I really want you to go back to physical therapy. Really make a go of it this time.”
    “No,” Dad said simply, like the doc had asked him if he wanted mashed potatoes with dinner.
    Dr. Stone scribbled on his pad and then ripped off the sheet as he gave Dad a smile. “Well, I’m not asking. If you want me to refill this prescription next month, you’ll call this number,” he said, adding a business card to the sheet as he handed it to Dad. “Dr. Maxwell is great, and I’ll check in with her to make sure you’re attending whatever sessions she recommends before we meet again next month.”
    Dad’s eyes snapped toward mine. “What did you say?”
    “Dad,”