How would you feel? (long read)

I inadvertently threw an EA colleague with whom I have a good working relationship, under the bus. Let’s call her Beezus.

Preface: I’m working with a team on a new project that I’m spearheading for EAs. Beezus is also on the team and we are the only 2 EAs on that team working on this project due to our seniority.

3 weeks ago, a few EAs on my team came back and told me that Beezus spoke negatively in a meeting about the project that I’m leading and got all the EAs on my team and the others in the room “riled up”. We have had layoffs in the past so they were worried about that happening again. Note, I was not at the meeting where this all went down; however, I am the lead EA for my team so people felt the need to let me know what happened because they know I’m working on this project and felt that Beezus’ comments set a negative tone about our project. They told me they were tempted to tell HR about what Beezus did.

I then confided in another person (let’s call them Ramona) that I work closely with, and also working with on the project, about what Beezus said in the meeting. I didn’t say who told me because I don’t roll like that. I simply wanted to get Ramona’s advice on how to handle it because I didn’t want any rumors circulating or anything sabotaging our progress. Ramona gave me suggestions. I handled it, did my damage control and didn’t speak about it again.

Fast forward 3 weeks later after I honestly forgot about everything, and Ramona tells me that she told Beezus’ close colleague (let’s call her Bev) what I told her about the meeting. Ramona specified that it was me who told her. Ramona named names, y’all.

Now I’m panicking because I don’t want Beezus to think I purposely tattled on her…because that wasn’t my intention at all. Like, at all.

How would you feel about me if you were Beezus and you found out about this? I’m wondering if I need to fess up and tell Beezus what happened or just let it all play out. I’ve always been a tight ship at work, I don’t participate in gossip or snitch on people because I simply don’t care about work that much lol. The ONE time I confide in someone this happens. I guess I assume everyone has a “Vegas Rules” mentality like I do, but that’s clearly not the case.