Crawling To You

Did Anything Happen?

Gabby's POV

The morning light filtered through the half-drawn hotel curtains like an unwelcome intruder, sharp and unforgiving.

My head pounded like someone was hammering nails into my skull from the inside. I blinked slowly, trying to piece together where I was. Soft sheets. A heavy comforter pulled up to my chin. And… oh God.

I was under the covers in just my bra and panties. Almost naked. My black jean bum shorts and cropped shirt were nowhere in sight. My heart slammed against my ribs as I turned my head to the side in panic.

Ethan lay next to me, fast asleep on his back, his chest bare and rising steadily with each breath.

The morning light traced the lines of his toned abs and shoulders…years of gym discipline showing.

His face looked peaceful, those sharp cheekbones relaxed, hazel eyes closed. For a split second, the scene felt intimate in a way that made my stomach twist.

Memories from last night crashed in like a bad hangover montage. The club. The drinking. Grinding on him on the dance floor. Climbing the pole. Then in this room… I’d thought he was Aiden. I’d kissed him, shoved him down and straddled him like a damn dog in heat. I had whispered desperate things against his neck while rocking my hips.

‘Fuck.’ I swore silently, biting my lip so hard it hurt. What the hell did I do last night?

My head banged painfully as I sat up a little, the room spinning. I clutched the blanket tighter and snuck a desperate peek underneath. Panties still on.

My bra was still hooked. No obvious signs of… anything more.

But the panic hit full force anyway. Did anything happen? What will Ethan think of me? I jumped on my best friend like some horny mess.

I’d promised myself for years that my first time would be with Aiden…special, meaningful, after he finally saw me as more than an annoying sister.

How could it have been with Ethan instead? Even drunk, even in my delusional fantasy, the guilt clawed at me.

God please…

I bit my fingernails hard, tasting the polish, while my other hand raked wildly through my tangled hair.

Think, Gabby. What now? Do I wake him? Pretend it didn’t happen? But did anything happen? How would I even ask him that?

The friendship we’d built since elementary school…sharing secrets, him knowing every twisted detail about my obsession with Aiden…could this ruin it?

I felt sick all over again.

Ethan stirred then, stretching with a low groan. His eyes fluttered open, and that teasing grin spread across his face immediately, the one that usually made me laugh but now made me want to disappear.

“You’re up already after our wild night?” he murmured, voice sleepy and amused.

Our wild night? Oh no, Gabby!

He reached for his phone on the nightstand, glanced at it, and chuckled. “Oh, it’s just 11am. I thought you’d be asleep till at least 4pm. Especially after last night," he stressed again, like he was subtly hinting at something.

I cursed under my breath, biting my lip hard enough to taste blood.

My cheeks burned. I gripped the edge of the blanket like it was a lifeline, pulling it up to my neck. “Ethan… we… if we…did we do anything last night? You mentioned ‘wild night.’ What… what does that mean?”

He leaned over on one elbow, still grinning that infuriating, handsome grin. “Oh, we did a lot of things, Gabby. It was a very memorable one.”

My heart sank straight to my stomach. “What have I done?” I whispered, voice cracking.

Ethan exhaled dramatically and smacked my arm lightly…playful, not hard. “What are you thinking, you maniac? I’m a gentleman. I’d never take advantage of a drunk woman, especially not my best friend since crayon days.”

He sat up fully, the sheet pooling at his waist, and launched into the story like he was recounting the funniest comedy skit.

“First, you wouldn’t let me put you down after carrying you in here. Kept calling me Aiden…full-on delusion mode. Then you shoved me onto the bed like a pro wrestler and climbed on top, straddling me, kissing my neck all sloppy and whispering ‘Love me back, please.’ I managed to roll you off, but you chased me around the room…literally chasing, bumping into furniture, laughing like a maniac while trying to drag me back to bed. ‘Aiden, I’m grown now!’ you kept yelling. It was hilarious and terrifying all at once.”

I threw my head into the pillow and screamed into it, the sound muffled but raw with embarrassment. My whole body flushed hot. He laughed, deep and genuine, patting my shoulder.

“Then you threw up, Gabby. Everywhere. On the floor, a bit on my shirt. I had to clean you up…wiped your face, changed you into your underwear because your clothes were soaked and gross. But don’t worry, I had my eyes closed the whole time.

Swear on our elementary school friendship bracelet. Didn’t touch anything I shouldn’t. I’m not some creep.”

I screamed louder into the pillow, kicking my legs under the covers like a child.

The humiliation burned through the hangover fog. When I finally peeked out, Ethan was still laughing, shaking his head.

“You’re lucky I’m your best friend and not some random guy from the club,” he said. “And for the record? I’m not attracted to you like that. Never have been. You’re like the chaotic little sister I never wanted but got stuck with.”

That stung a tiny bit, but mostly it was a relief. I sat up straighter, still clutching the blanket, my voice small and embarrassed. “I’m so sorry, Ethan. I didn’t mean for any of that to happen. The drinking, the… everything. I was just trying to forget the rejection.”

He nodded, expression softening. “I know. You were wasted and heartbroken. We’re good. I’m here anytime.”

Just then, my phone buzzed from my small bag on the nightstand. I fished it out…ten missed calls. Mom, Julian, Dad. But guess what? Not a single one from Aiden.

The absence hit like another slap. He didn’t even care enough to check if I was okay? My chest tightened.

It rang again…Julian this time. My heart skipped. Did Aiden tell him? They don’t keep secrets. Is that why everyone’s calling? To yell about how disgusting I am?

Ethan noticed my hesitation, eyebrows raised. “Want me to pick it up? Tell them you’re sleeping at my place?”

“No,” I gulped, swiping to answer. “I got it.”

The second I put the phone to my ear, Julian’s loud voice exploded through. “Gabriella Ava Walter, what the hell is wrong with you?!”

It made my head bang worse. I pulled the phone away slightly, wincing at the impact.

Ethan signaled he’d be right back, pulled on a shirt and slipped out of the room quietly to give me privacy.

Julian didn’t stop. “Why are you acting so reckless? Sneaking out of your room, not coming home…what the hell are you thinking? Do you know how worried everyone is?”

I rubbed my throbbing temple, voice weak. “I’m fine, Julian. I'm not a child anymore. Besides… I slept over at Ethan’s. No big deal.”

“Don’t f*****g lie to me,” he snapped. “It’s all over the front tabloids and social media. Did you forget for a second that you’re a Walter? That video of you pole dancing like some amateur stripper is everywhere. Me and Aiden have been coordinating with the crisis PR team all morning to scrub it…DMCA takedowns, paid removals, the works. This is serious, Gabs. Dad is furious.”

None of what he said mattered to me. The only thing that stuck was Aiden. He was helping Julian fix my mess. Did that mean he saw the video? My face burned with fresh embarrassment. “I’m on my way home now,” I mumbled.

“You better come quick. We’ve handled most of it, but Mom wants you here. Aiden’s girlfriend is coming over for lunch, and she expects the whole family to play nice.”

My heart sank even faster, like lead in my gut. His girlfriend was still coming? After everything?

I ended the call with a groan and quickly checked my phone. The headlines made me groan louder: “Walter Heiress Goes Wild: Pole Dancing Scandal at Eclipse Club!”

There were blurry screenshots…me sliding down the pole, shorts riding up, hair wild, makeup smeared. I looked pathetic and desperate. The comments were already tearing me apart.

Ethan came back a few minutes later with painkillers, a bottle of water, and a fresh set of clothes…some comfy shorts and a big polo shirt that smelled new. “Figured you’d need these.”

I thanked him, took the pills, showered quickly in the tiny hotel bathroom, and changed. We checked out in silence, the front desk clerk giving me a knowing look that made me want to hide.

As we stepped outside, Ethan asked, “You want me to ride back with you? Emotional support bro?”

I shook my head. “I’ve got this. Besides, Julian will grill you if he sees you. Blame you for letting me get drunk and stain the family reputation.”

He shrugged with a small smile. “I don’t mind.”

“I do.” I paused, then hugged him tight. “Thanks for everything, E. And sorry again for being a nuisance last night.”

“I’m here. Anytime,” he said simply.

I climbed onto the back of his motorcycle…he’d apparently picked it up earlier while I was on a call.

The ride home was quiet, wind whipping my damp hair, my arms around his waist but my mind miles away.

By the time we reached the massive iron gates of the family mansion, it was past noon.

I exhaled shakily, crossing my small bag over my body like armor, and waved Ethan off. He gave me a thumbs-up before roaring away.

Time to face my mess. And the so-called girlfriend.