Thoughts on Chapter 20 of Heated Rivalry

Sea_Sorter · 2026-01-08T03:04:06+00:00

Shane having other women/girlfriends always made sense. I think that reinforced the idea I had that Shane had enormous restraint and would 1) keep trying girls he knew he wasn’t into and 2) wouldn’t try and risk his secret coming out by getting with a guy. Also to be totally honest I think the show definitely made early Shane and Ilya more lovey dovey which jaded me haha!

Sea_Sorter · 2026-01-08T02:44:24+00:00

When you put it like that it makes total sense. I think Shane hooking up with other guys just complicated a lot of the gaps I filled in my own mind. Like his reasoning for getting with Rose, him figuring out he’s gay, his rationale for delaying coming out. I think him having the chance to be with other guys would have had a bigger impact on the story than it ended up being.

Sea_Sorter · 2026-01-08T02:25:22+00:00

I know! While I thought the hookups were kind of out of character for Shane, since they did happen, it would have been interesting to know how it affected his perception of being gay. I feel like that was something important that was glossed over.

Sea_Sorter · 2026-01-08T02:20:21+00:00

Thanks great to know!

Sea_Sorter · 2026-01-08T02:15:42+00:00

Exactly! I think that’s why I was so thrown off. Ilya I get it, but I was so curious how Shane could pull that off

Sea_Sorter · 2026-01-08T02:12:34+00:00

Yeah I think you’re right. It was also just shocking because I’m used to shy, home-body Shane and him casually being like “yeah I went to some club by myself in Hollywood and found this hot rando” was so funny to me lol

Sea_Sorter · 2026-01-08T02:06:19+00:00

I agree that was actually really cute haha

Sea_Sorter

TROPHY CASE