As the second episode of "Heated Rivalry" unfurls, Shane finds himself in Montreal while Ilya resides in Russia. Throughout the summer months, their connection has blossomed into a steamy online love affair, their sexting sessions igniting a desire that only intensifies with each passing day. By the winter of 2012, their exchanges have become fiery, and by spring 2013, their longing for each other has become an unquenchable thirst.
On the field, Ilya continues to demonstrate his formidable presence, leading his team to the playoffs. Meanwhile, Shane's team's fortunes take a different turn. Fast-forward to the winter of 2013, and their sexting sessions reach a new level of explicitness, Ilya boldly laying out his desires for Shane. By spring 2014, Ilya proposes a wager: if Boston wins the next game, they will spend the fall together in a romantic embrace. Fate would have it that their teams find themselves facing off against each other.
Ahead of the game, an unusual occurrence takes place when Ilya texts Shane. Normally, they would avoid such exchanges before a contest, but Shane chooses to honestly respond to Ilya's dirty question, causing both to chuckle and blush. Ilya's teammates assume he's smitten with a girl, but he refuses to divulge the truth.
Despite Ilya's team's loss, he is excited to meet Shane that night at his place. Before they can indulge in their passion, Shane confronts Ilya about their sexting before the game. They make their way to Shane's new abode, still under renovation, and indulge in a passionate night of love-making with Shane's consent. After an exhilarating lovemaking session, Ilya prepares to shower and depart. Shane sees him off, teasing each other about who will emerge victorious in the Olympics. Shane shares his family's excitement, while Ilya remains somewhat nonchalant when discussing his own family.
The winter of 2014 brings them both to Sochi, Russia, for the Olympics. Unfortunately, the Russian team suffers a heartbreaking loss, and Ilya is hit hard by the defeat as he serves as the team's captain. Worried, Shane texts to check on him, but Ilya ignores all his messages.
As Shane hung out with his fellow athlete friends, one of them brought up Joe, the gay figure skater he personally knew. One of Shane's friends commented on Joe's bravery in coming out as a Russian athlete, which suddenly made Shane realize the potential difficulty Ilya might be facing. The group showed up at the figure skating games to support Joe, and Shane spotted Ilya and tried to comfort him. However, Ilya reminded him that they were just "fuck buddies" and pushed him away.
It turns out that Ilya was dealing with a lot of pressure from his father after the Olympic loss. At one of the national galas, Ilya noticed that his dad's memory was getting worse. Later, his dad introduced him to a few ministers, including Svetlana's father. The conversation inevitably turned to Ilya's sports career. Svetlana saved Ilya and brought him to a room with Sasha, the former coach's son, whom Ilya used to hook up with. Before leaving, Svetlana gave Ilya advice on how to win the cup that season. After she left, Sasha flirted with Ilya in the hopes of getting him back into his bed. Surprisingly, Ilya turned him down.
Over the coming months, Ilya ignored Shane's numerous messages and focused on hockey instead. His determination proved to be fruitful as he won the cup. Sasha watched the game with his team and found himself tearing up as Ilya celebrated his win. In the summer of 2015, the two reunited in Vegas for the Major League awards. Of course, Shane was anxious about presenting the awards with Ilya, who had been ghosting him. In contrast, Ilya acted completely nonchalant, sauntering in just in time for them to do their comedic bit before presenting the awards.
Shane, a nervous and wounded soul, hurries to the restroom in a bid to calm his churning emotions. Ilya follows him in, a mischievous gleam in his eye as he takes in Shane's agitation with a chuckle. Finally, Shane confronts him, and the two swiftly engage in a tantalizing flirtation that leaves no room for doubt.
After the awards ceremony, Shane makes a detour to Ilya's hotel room. Inside, the two engage in a seductive game that leads to a mind-blowing encounter. Later, as they lie together, Shane inquires about Russia and gently suggests that it might be better if Ilya didn't return for the summer. Ilya explains that he has to go back because Russia is still his home. The mood becomes awkward, and Shane hastily departs.
Only as he steps into the elevator does the urge to text Ilya consume him, wondering why they didn't share a kiss. It suddenly dawns on him that he has caught feelings for the Russian hunk, his heart thumping with unfamiliar emotions he hadn't anticipated.
