At the June 2009 NHL draft in Los Angeles, Shane Hollander poses for photos beside Ilya Rozanov and other top picks, including a large American defenseman named Sullivan. Shane is drafted second overall by the Montreal Voyageurs, a great outcome on paper, but he can’t shake the sting of coming in behind Ilya again—especially because Ilya goes first overall to Montreal’s bitter rival, the Boston Bears, tying their careers together as an inevitable rivalry.

Trying to stay professional, Shane offers Ilya a polite congratulations. Ilya’s smug thanks and patronizing shoulder pat infuriate Shane, but before Shane can snap back, they’re separated for interviews.

Later that night at the hotel, Shane can’t sleep, restless and fixated on Ilya. Hoping to burn off the agitation, Shane goes to the empty gym and runs on a treadmill until Ilya arrives and silently takes the treadmill beside him.

Their competitive instincts kick in, and they escalate into a wordless speed contest, each increasing the pace to outdo the other. Shane finally hits the emergency stop, exhausted, and collapses on the floor; Ilya stops too and sits nearby, laughing with him as they catch their breath.

As they talk, Ilya needles Shane about the day and the future Montreal-Boston rivalry, then offers Shane his water bottle. The brief touches—fingers brushing, then Ilya’s hand grazing Shane’s wrist—spark a sudden, unfamiliar charge for Shane, who realizes he wants Ilya to touch him again and even imagines kissing him. Panicked, Shane abruptly leaves, then spirals in his room over what it means—especially since he has a girlfriend—and ultimately ends the night masturbating to thoughts of Ilya.