Summary:

This work explores the previously unseen three and a half years in the lives and the relationship of characters Scott Hunter and Kip Grady from Season 1 of the Heated Rivalry television series created by Jacob Tierney. It begins where Episode 3 ("Hunter") ends and ends with the final scene of Episode 5 ("I'll Believe in Anything"). It follows Kip's growth from smoothie barista to graduate student and beyond. It accompanies Scott on his journey as a lonely and conflicted professional hockey star who became the Game Changer he was destined to be. And it chronicles the path to sunshine for their relationship.

Season 1 of the 2025 Heated Rivalry television series is treated as canon, and this work assumes the reader is very familiar with the show and especially the Scott and Kip characters within it. A few elements are inspired by events in the book Game Changer by Rachel Reid or other books in the series, but only to the extent that it does not conflict with TV canon. There are several original characters and new roles for familiar ones.