Now, I am going to be honest… this chapter is short, but it's also going to really kick this fic into gear for the coming events in this new arc. We'll be back to Aleheather content next chapter in the form of a flashback, from a lovely internet friend of mine who requested it! :) But for now, enjoy the conclusion of Diego finding out about Natalie's boyfriend Felix. Hope you enjoy!

(Diego's POV)

I was trying to wrap my head around it, practically feeling like I was questioning everything.

Wondering how I ended up in this dingy garage, finding out this guy I just met was my cousin's boyfriend (who I didn't even know she had for the past YEAR)... I just didn't know?

"Diego?" I looked over to see Natalie giving me a hesitant look.

But again, I had no idea what to think?

Eventually I ran a hand through my hair out of unsure stress as I finally expressed, "Look, Natalie… I don't know what to think right now? I thought you and I were able to tell eachother anything and I'm just finding out about all of this now? Do you even trust me?! Do I even know you?! Nat just…Ugh, qué CARAJO?!"

I kept feeling as if I was losing my mind and thinking my whole life has been a lie.

Natalie exasperated as she said, "Diego, seriously it's not like I didn't tell you about Felix because I didn't 'trust you'. What the hell do you take me for?!"

I let out an indignant scoff before practically fuming, "Quite frankly, I have no idea?! I thought we were always close and told each other everything! But apparently it seems like you might as well be a stranger to me at this point! Seriously, are you sure you even trust me?! Why wouldn't you be honest about something like this and tell me?!"

She immediately gave me a hard look as she stepped away from Felix and said, practically spitting in defensive frustration, "Well, at least I had the balls to actually say how I really feel to someone."

I felt like I had a rusty knife stabbed into my stomach and twisted around, knowing clearly she was taking a jab at me about someone.

My hands were clenched so tightly I thought the bones in my knuckles were going to break through my skin as I ground out through my teeth, now practically putting my finger in her face, "Th-That's not fair…"

I knew I sounded as defensive as her… and I could tell Natalie knew it too as she quirked up an eyebrow and crossed her arms as she replied, very direct, "Really? Is it 'unfair'? Considering it's one of two things you always talk or bitch and moan to me about for the past forever at this point… Will you just fucking sack up and tell her already?! Or are you just gonna keep stalling and making fucking excuses for why you can't?!"

I stood there as I felt every muscle in my body lock up as my brain felt on the verge of an aneurysm.

We kept staring at each other down until Natalie eventually broke from frustration first and exasperated before saying, "Ugh, fuck it! I'm going back to the gym!"

She immediately grabbed her gym bag before stomping out of the garage past me and into the night. I just stood there as I started reevaluating until I heard, "She does trust you, ya know?"

I looked over and saw Felix (who honestly I forgot was standing there this whole time) just looking at me and crossing his arms.

After a few moments he took a step closer as he said, "Hey man, believe me. She cares about you a lot. She tells me all the time. You know Nat's got it rough with her parents and I know that's why she was always freaked out about talking about me to anyone. Which I get. Besides, and you know it probably as much if not better than me, but… Natalie's not that great about letting stuff off easy. Hey, I love her but… yeah, that chica is a firecracker sometimes. But, just don't take it too hard. She cares about you, man… and I know you love and care about her too."

He stopped before holding his hand out too me and saying, "And believe it or not, I care about Nat too. Honestly… I love her more than anything. Yeah, she can be a little hard to read and it took me a whole year to figure out if she felt like I did, but… I would do anything for her and wouldn't try anything to hurt her. So… I'm glad I finally got to meet you man. It feels good to finally meet someone in her family that she actually trusts."

As much as I was confused and as much as I was mad at Natalie still for certain things she brought up just now, I had nothing against this. Instead, I shook his hand back and replied, "Believe me, I know Natalie can be impulsive, but… I know she also wouldn't just trust anyone. So if she trusts you, you won't get a fight from me. If anything it's also somewhat of a relief with most of our family living in Spain. My aunt and uncle aren't exactly easy to 'deal with' so in a way… I'm glad you're there for her here."

I was surprised when he smirked at me and responded, sounding pretty well genuine and appreciative, "Gracias."

I didn't know how exactly to respond as I nodded. But right as I was about to walk away, he said, "Hey Diego, mind hanging back for a second? I just have some things to ask you. And... Are you coming back in Spring or Summer?"

Intrigued, I stepped back into the garage and sat down with him on a couple of milk crates, interested to see what he had to say.

15 minutes later

Well, that was… something. I still felt like I was trying to wrap my head around everything that happened tonight. Especially after the last 15 minutes with Felix… I had no idea what to say?

Eventually I shook my head and decided to just go home since I long since lost my appetite for any dinner at this point.

I started to make my way back until my phone started going off.

At first I thought it was most likely padre calling until… Ay, carajo.

I felt my stomach clench for a moment before settling as my heart started pounding painfully slow yet forceful against my chest as I looked at who was calling almost as if fate was taunting me personally after what Natalie brought up earlier.

Claire Watson.

I took a deep breath.

Dammit Diego… just relax.

But, as conflicted as I felt, I answered and eventually couldn't stop myself from calming down as I picked up and said, teasing slightly, "Hola amiga, I was starting to think you forgot about me?"

I could immediately hear the smile and eye roll in her voice, making me smile as she said teasingly, "Why do you always have to guilt trip me like that?"

I kept smiling as I teased back, "Lo siento, you know I'm only joking. I thought you knew me better than that?"

Claire laughed slightly and remarked playfully, "Well, I'd like to think that? Considering I've literally known you since I shared a nursery with you for two weeks every summer since we were born… I'm calling you out on that one."

I smirked and replied, just taking it in with hearing her voice again, "Well… you got me there."

She let out a slight laugh again as I heard that smile in her voice again as she said, "Still, I can't wait for you to come and hang out. I haven't seen you since before you went to compete in the Olympics. You still haven't even shown me your medal in person yet! Did you bring it so I could see it?"

I smiled again as I tucked my free hand into my pocket as I responded, "Of course. Would I lie to you?"

…Considering I've had a crush on you since we were 6.

Agh… dammit.

Natalie's right… I am a coward.

So, yet again I will ask one single favor… let me explain. Lol. XD For those of you who caught the surname of said new character and are making a guess on who it is, I will confirm your suspicions for you here and now. And that is YES! Claire Watson is the daughter and youngest child of Heather's old dance partner and long time 'friend' Shane Watson and his wife Aga. At this point in the future, Shane is a successful financial advisor and has since taken over his dad's company and brought in PLENTY of high profile business ever since Heather asked him to handle and manage her and Alejandro's investments and finances since she literally would trust NO ONE else. Kind of par for the course for Heather, right? Lol. XD So, well before Diego was born, Shane and Aga made a plan every summer to take a two week vacation to Spain to relax and for Shane to meet with Alejandro and Heather to discuss their yearly financial review. Basically kind of killing two birds with one stone. ;) But, as time went by, Shane and Aga had two children. Their oldest child and son Matthew is 20 and currently enrolled in University and Claire is the same age as Diego and is still in High School. Anyway, during these 2 week visits when Diego was in his 'nursery days' with his nanny, Claire would spend quite a bit of time with Diego as a playmate for those 2 weeks each year and the two eventually developed a long distance yet close friendship dynamic between them. But for Diego… let's just say he feels more than 'friendship' feelings for Claire and has had a deep seeded crush on her since they were kids. I'll get more into all this later and let you guys to leave your guesses and predictions for now. ;) Anyway, I apologize for the short chapter this time around but I promise I'll deliver a bit more the next time.

Stay classy, healthy, and in these troubling times... show kindness and care for one another.

Dexter1995